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How not to fall asleep

  • Writer: Sophie Bostock, PhD
    Sophie Bostock, PhD
  • Feb 19, 2021
  • 1 min read

This week, I've had the great privilege to feature on a couple of podcasts. Whenever I have a an event which could have a big audience, I get ridiculously nervous. It's worse when there's a video too - since I know big bags under my eyes from a poor night's sleep could be bad for my credibility!


So how do you sleep the night before an important day?


In this video I talk through the technique of paradoxical intention, from the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Insomnia toolkit. I've been practicing this over the years and even though I'm well aware that in the back of my mind I do want to sleep, it still seems to help most of the time.


Please give it a go, and let me know what you think. As with most sleep techniques, don't despair if it doesn't work the first time. It might take a few attempts to feel familiar, which will help you relax into it.



14 Comments


Utkarsh Arora
Utkarsh Arora
May 30

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Lisa Charles
Lisa Charles
May 29

Really appreciated how simple and practical this post was. The explanation of paradoxical intention was refreshing because it focused on reducing pressure around sleep instead of overcomplicating the process. The calm and relatable tone made the advice feel much more approachable. I recently came across a similar discussion on a review blog https://www.goprogaragedoorrepair.com/, and it offered another interesting perspective on stress, rest, and healthy sleep habits.

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123vidertools
May 28

This is such a valuable, science-backed guide to improving sleep quality! The emphasis on consistency, morning light exposure, and protecting the bed-sleep association are game-changers. As someone who struggles with pre-sleep anxiety, the tip about not forcing sleep really resonates. It's interesting how much our daytime focus and rhythm affect nighttime rest. For a fun way to sharpen daytime concentration and rhythmic timing, I've been enjoying Speed Stars, a minimalist game where precise input timing is everything. It's a great mental workout that reinforces the kind of steady, focused control that can benefit our overall daily rhythm. Thanks for sharing these evidence-based strategies!

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toootaa1210r
May 18

Mình có lần lướt đọc mấy trao đổi trên mạng شيخ روحاني thì thấy nhắc nên cũng tò mò mở ra xem thử cho biết. Mình không tìm hiểu sâu جلب الحبيب chỉ xem qua trong thời gian ngắn để quan sát bố cục جلب الحبيب cách sắp xếp شيخ روحاني các mục và trình bày nội شيخ روحاني dung tổng thể. Cảm giác là các phần được trình bày khá gọn, các شيخ روحاني mục rõ ràng nên đọc lướt cũng không bị rối Berlinintim, với mình như شيخ روحاني vậy là đủ để nắm   tin cơ bản rồi. جلب الحبيب


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sofiacarson506
May 14

Relax and unwind with tap tap shots

It easy to find something that matches your mood. The multiplayer section has some surprisingly fun stuff too.

!!!

Edited
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Every few weeks I tackle a juicy sleep question in the Sleep to Peak newsletter. Sign up for monthly updates, or to get your question answered.

If you'd like more information about speaking, coaching, or consulting, please get in touch! You can also reach Sophie at sophie@thesleepscientist.com.

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