How to deal with your insomnia — and finally get to sleep | Sleeping with Science

Having trouble falling asleep — or staying asleep? Alcohol, sleeping pills or drugs like marijuana help you in the short-term, but they’re only a quick fix, says sleep scientist Matt Walker. There is, however, one proven way to treat your insomnia and help you get the zzz’s you need.

The TED Talks channel features the best talks and performances from the TED Conference, where the world's leading thinkers and doers give the talk of their lives in 18 minutes (or less). Look for talks on Technology, Entertainment and Design -- plus science, business, global issues, the arts and more. You're welcome to link to or embed these videos, forward them to others and share these ideas with people you know.

[thelofitime]

To anybody who's reading this, I pray that whatever is hurting you or whatever you are constantly stressing about gets better. May the dark thoughts, the overthinking, and the doubt exit your mind. May clarity replace confusion. May peace and calmness fill your life. ❤

[fmbray_]

Can't believe I got suckered into watching a 2 minute ad for something I can't afford in the first place.

[RealUlrichLeland]

This worked for my mum's insomnia. She was prescribed dozens of drugs that just made it worse until she finally was taken to a sleep clinic. Simple little techniques like not drinking caffeine or alcohol, not lying in and staying out of your bed if you can't sleep until you feel tired (e.g. going for a walk or reading a book) did her a world of good

[belckan]

So not actually an answer, just trying to sell a specific treatment.

[NicoPanasiuk]

For those who are struggling with getting to sleep tonight, I always find laying down in another place helps me quiet my mind and then I go any lay down in my bed. Go lay on the couch for 30 - 60 min and see if it helps.

[DonnyS]

The key component to sleep deprivation is worrying about sleep. It is a behaviour every insomniac has unwittingly trained their brain. To defeat insomnia is a process to untrain your brain from these behaviours. People who sleep well never worry about sleep. try to take a positive attitude and dedicate your brain power to focus on the positive things in your life throughout the day. I myself have suffered struggles with sleep, and have spent day after day snowballing my anxiety worrying about bedtime. You have to stay resilient even when tired, treat people well and live your life regardless. It sounds simple, but stay positive - don’t lose yourself to insomnia. Do what you do, stay busy and focus your brain power on the good stuff, go to the gym even if you’re tired. Slowly you will start to come back from the clutch of insomnia

[randybates]

I just never feel sleepy, ever. My eyelids never get heavy like they used to.

[ellencarpenter]

I have terminal insomnia (over 3 decades). I read You Can Sleep Too and started CBT-I and am FINALLY getting some sleep. I have ditched the sleeping pills and have a plan that allows me to fall back to sleep when I wake in the middle of the night. The minute I wake up, I go straight to the spare room, without looking at the clock, and fall back to sleep (most nights).

[gweebara]

Is this really a TED video or is this a sales ad for the psych industry? this is jarringly different than I'm used to Ted videos being .

[sleepingsounds]

Matt's book is a life changer! Another thing that can have a massive impact is a constant background sound during the night, like white noise, a fan, the sounds of water etc. Helps me massively with getting to sleep and staying asleep without as many interruptions!

[NotoriousGremio]

So instead of some tips on “how to finally get to sleep” I’ll now be up all night looking for a therapist…thanks YouTube algo! 🤦🏻‍♂️😂😂

[frankclements]

I have been trying to fix my chronic depression/anxiety for a year. I've watched hundreds of these youtube videos and read 1000s of comments. I am no closer to fixing my self now than when I started. Now I'm trying to help my wife with her insomnia. This video and these comments arre just like the countless comments I read about depression/anxiety. I am almost ready to give up. I wonder, is there any help anywhere? Am I doomed?

[mikioni]

Since I started applying these two things, I started to sleep normally. Trust me, you will too.

1. I NEVER have dinner after 7 pm. or at least two hours before bedtime. The body needs two hours to process food. If, for example, you have dinner right before going to bed, it will significantly affect the body's ability to sleep.

2. Try to have as many physical activities as possible during the day, because it will tire you and thus you will fall asleep more easily.

[realtalk]

CBT does not necessarily work for everyone even in terms of normal therapy, and that's an important point to make. It is worth giving a shot if you have not had CBT before or find it effective for you. But also keep in mind that how it's performed, and how well it works for you, may depend a lot on the therapist and how well they mesh with you. They may also just refer you for medications anyway. This video is essentially claiming that going to therapy will allow you to circumvent the use of medication, and that is *not* necessarily the case.

[humbleugoo]

Sleeping has become a lot of challenges to me for years. I've suffered so many illnesses, this illness has caused me depression, fear, anxiety and frustrations...

Now I just spent about 11months in the hospital in 2023/2024 treatment of high cholesterol, ulcer, chest pain and stomach pain... I've been going through pain all my life! I wish I could get my life back and sleep normal again without fear and anxiety

[babyinvasion]

My Dad just told me "Goodnight vampire" at 4 AM while going back to his room after using the restroom in the middle of the night and seeing me awake ... and of course this video starts off with a vampire. I can relate, Nosferatu

[ikulata]

Sooo... I watched an ad willingly whilst I was trying to sleep. Perfect. THANKS FOR THIS AMAZING VIDEO. IT HELPED ME A LOT. I am still awake but now angry. Now I remembered why I don't like ted. Thanks for reminding me why.

[coreymichael]

Weed has well and truly destroyed my sleep. 6 months weed free should have me feeling great, but it’s there opposite because I’ve had about 3-4 nights of restful sleep within that time. It’s having a huge psychological impact on my life which is also hindering my physical progress in the gym. I’m getting ill all the time. I’m losing all hope at this point but I’m going to try this CBT (tried it for my anxiety and hasn’t really worked).

[umfMe]

Man, but what if I just want to sleep but don’t want to change my behavior or beliefs? I joke because do you know how hard it is to change the bad-for-your-sleep behaviors you’ve been doing for years?
I’m a night owl. Always have been. I get a surge of energy around 8 or 9pm regardless of the day’s events. My circadian rhythm is that of another planet much closer to its sun.

[NatureSounds]

It's been a lot of help.
Thank you for the good video.