“Tomorrow and tomorrow and tomorrow…penetrates your every thought as you lie with outstretched arms, staring pensively through blood-shot eyes at the ceiling above, which has become progressively more illuminated by the dawn’s early light. Two hours ago, you decided to surrender another night’s sleep and, as usual, have pondered the degree to which you will be able to endure another day’s activity. Perhaps I should work nights, as long as I am awake. Maybe I should have been a cat… or a vampire!”
<?xml:namespace prefix = o /> Thousands of individuals suffer in this way. It’s called, Insomnia, which simply eans they have difficulty sleeping. Frustrated, exhausted, frightened, they utilize everything available to them, consciously; pills, warm milk, reading, alcohol, exercise, in order to achieve that precious sleep. And, as in so many other instances of their lives, they do it again… and again. Under the circumstances, it is not uncommon for an insomniac to believe he’s “tried everything” and that “nothing works.”
 One of the more consistent features of insomniacs is that they deliberately pay attention to those experiences which cause them discomfort. Some examples include: lying in bed picturing what they are going to do when they confront their boss, spouse or friend, or through a “little voice” in their heads which worries for them.
 It is my belief that “worrying” allows a person the opportunity of avoiding certain unpleasant tasks. Interestingly enough, once recognizing that sleep is not happening, individuals will often incorporate this knowledge into the scheme of events to worry about, thus preventing its occurrence! Some people learn the art of staying awake and practice it frequently… Often a person will have practiced insomnia so well that it seems “automatic” and professional assistance is required to help unlearn it. However, if you have difficulty sleeping, perhaps you would first like to try something different…for a change:

• 1- Try to not sleep. Instead of spending countless hours tossing and turning, and busying yourself with activities designed to make something spontaneous (sleep) happen “on purpose”, resolve yourself to the idea that you will not sleep tonight: That it is totally unnecessary and that you can not allow it. Read a book or watch t.v.
• 2- Count sheep, not problems! If you must stay awake nights, at least turn off the “internal dialogue from Hell” that keeps you pondering your problems through your darkest hours. Experience instead, a pleasant fantasy, in living color. For added effect, tune into the sounds that fantasy would make if it could sound like something. Then pay attention to the feelings which may develop. For example, suppose you were to imagine yourself lying on a beach on a clear, warm, sunny day. Notice the bright colors of the water and the contrasting sand; the various shapes around you. As the crest of a wave curls inward, crashing against the crushed pebbly shore, you can now hear that sound and feel the spray of mist on your face…which tastes salty. And you can enjoy the warm feeling from just having laid in the sun.
• 3- During the daytime, work actively and methodically to rectify, one at a time, the situations about which you worry at night. In each instance, begin by designating what change you would like to have and attempt any action to achieve this. If the action you attempt does not work, do something different. Working day and night, perhaps you can open your eyes to new alternatives… and close your eyes to old ones.