“The attempt to escape from pain is what creates more pain.” – Gabor Maté

Summarized Notes:

Core theme

• A big driver of insomnia is the fear of how terrible you’ll feel tomorrow.

• Quote framing the lesson: trying to escape discomfort often creates more discomfort.

Why “bad sleep” hits chronic insomniacs differently

• People who normally sleep well can have a bad night and seem mostly fine the next day.

• Chronic insomniacs often assume:

  • “I’m worse off because I’ve had more bad nights.”

• But a major difference is likely fear and resistance:

  • Chronic insomniacs are terrified of being awake at night.

  • Most people are more open/neutral about occasional wakefulness.

The powerful shift: Stop fighting, start resting

• Being awake at night doesn’t have to be a battle.

• Resting in bed while allowing wakefulness is more gentle and restorative than:

  • Tossing, turning, and trying to “force” sleep.

• This becomes a major recovery tool because:

  • Less struggle = less stress on the body

  • More acceptance = less hyperarousal

Why this helps both sleep AND the next day

• If your brain learns that a rough night isn’t as painful or threatening, it stops treating wakefulness like danger.

• That reduces fear → reduces control behaviors → improves sleep over time.

This creates a positive feedback loop:

• Less fear of wakefulness→ fewer frantic sleep-control efforts→ less hyperarousal→ better sleep, and/or better rest→ even less fear next time

Key takeaway: acceptance reduces the “insomnia hangover”

• Accepting you might be awake all night can:

  • Increase the chance sleep comes naturally

  • Drastically reduce how awful you feel the next day

• This is a rare mindset shift with no major downside tradeoff.

Tonight’s practice

• Instead of fighting sleep, embrace rest.

• Even if you don’t sleep, you may be surprised how much better you feel by resting calmly rather than struggling.

Program wrap-up + expectations

• These lessons aren’t quick fixes—they address the root.

• Recovery takes time, and not seeing “perfect sleep” after 5 days doesn’t mean you’re broken.

• Next steps offered:

  • 1:1 call packages

  • Monthly membership program (“Path to Peace”)

What to expect

• The goal is long-term: reduce fear, reduce struggle, rebuild a healthier relationship with wakefulness and sleep.

Further Support:

One on one Calls:

www.insomniatopeace.com

Learn how to start overcoming your insomnia coach for good by booking an appointment with Insomnia to Peace.

Path to Peace:

www.insomniatopeace.com

My Flagship Program to help you overcome insomnia for good.