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 We’ve all had those nights where sleep just won’t come, right? Maybe you tossed and turned, counted sheep, or checked the time far too many times. Usually, though, we bounce back and catch up on our sleep. But for about one in three people, sleeplessness isn’t just an occasional annoyance—it becomes an ongoing issue. This is known as chronic insomnia.  

Insomnia as defined by the National Sleep Foundation as “difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep even when given the chance” for at least three nights a week over three months, chronic insomnia can turn bedtime into a real challenge. 

Insomnia doesn’t just make us tired; it can come with a whole host of side effects, such as:

• Higher anxiety levels
• Mood swings or low spirits
• A dip in enthusiasm for life
• Comfort eating or other changes in appetite
• Weight gain
• Low libido or other forms of sexual dysfunction
• Trouble focusing on tasks
• Feeling drowsy during the day
• Irritability
• Increased reliance on caffeine, alcohol, or sleep aids

While these are some of the usual suspects, every insomniac's experience can vary a bit!

 Here’s the paradox: sleep is supposed to be the most natural thing in the world, right? But ask a “good sleeper” how they do it, and they’ll likely say, “I don’t do anything!” However, for someone struggling with insomnia, the harder they try, the further sleep slips away. This cycle can become self-perpetuating: the more one worries about getting enough sleep, the harder it becomes to actually fall asleep.

In response, insomniacs often try it all: evening baths, herbal teas, blackout blinds, earplugs, meditation, aromatherapy—yet nothing sticks. Prescription sleep aids can offer temporary relief, but long-term use reduces their effectiveness, and they don’t tackle the root of the problem.

At the heart of insomnia is often heightened anxiety. When general anxiety levels run high, it can be difficult to fully relax and ease into sleep. Sound familiar? Think about those times you couldn’t sleep before a big event or in a period of heightened stress. For those with chronic insomnia, this cycle of sleep anxiety can build until sleeplessness feels unavoidable.

Instead of targeting only the insomnia, we focus on reducing underlying anxiety. Hypnotherapy, in particular, is a gentle yet effective way to lower anxiety and bring back that natural ease of sleeping. By shifting focus onto positive aspects of life and creating a sense of calm, hypnotherapy can gradually help you break free from the insomnia loop.