How do I accept my insomnia?

How Do I Accept My Insomnia? Finding Peace in Sleeplessness

Understanding Insomnia: The Struggle You Can’t Ignore

Insomnia – it’s that constant companion that keeps you tossing and turning in the dark. You’ve probably heard the advice, “Just relax and you’ll fall asleep!” But you know that’s not how it works, right? There’s a strange frustration when you lie in bed, staring at the clock as hours slip by, knowing that sleep is just out of reach. But here’s the thing: learning how to accept insomnia might just be the first step towards finally finding peace.

What Is Insomnia, Really?

Insomnia isn’t just a simple inability to sleep—it’s a pattern. If you’re waking up in the middle of the night, struggling to get back to sleep, or waking up way too early and can’t doze off again, you’re dealing with insomnia. And let’s be honest, it’s exhausting. The mental strain is real. It’s like trying to catch a bus that’s always five minutes away, no matter how fast you run.

I remember a conversation with my friend Sarah last week, and she said something that really stuck with me: “It’s not the lack of sleep that’s the hardest part. It’s the constant worrying about not getting sleep.” And she's right! That mental chatter? It can keep you awake longer than anything else.

How to Accept Insomnia: The First Step to Peace

1. Stop Fighting It – Relax, Seriously

I know, I know—it sounds too simple, right? But one of the first things I learned when dealing with insomnia (after way too many sleepless nights) is that trying to force sleep actually makes it worse. When you’re lying there, watching the clock tick, and telling yourself, “I need to fall asleep, I need to fall asleep,” that pressure only makes everything worse. It's like putting more weight on your shoulders when you're already carrying too much.

Take a deep breath. Relax. It's hard at first, but your mind needs to stop fighting itself. I tried this once, after a really rough stretch of sleepless nights. I wasn’t even trying to sleep; I just focused on breathing. Eventually, I dozed off—not right away, but it was a start.

2. Embrace the Calm of the Night

Okay, I’ll admit it—there’s something almost magical about the quiet of the night when everyone else is asleep. When I let go of my need for sleep, I started noticing the stillness around me. It’s easy to forget how peaceful the night can be when you're not in a rush to fall asleep.

One night, I took a deep breath and simply listened. No thoughts of “I should be sleeping,” just the sound of my breath. That moment of acceptance actually felt peaceful. It’s not about sleep anymore; it’s about being present in the moment, even if it’s 3 AM.

Understanding the Role of Stress in Insomnia

1. Anxiety and Racing Thoughts – The Sleep Thieves

Insomnia often feeds on stress. Your thoughts race, your mind won’t shut off, and that’s what keeps you up. It’s like a hamster wheel—your brain goes in circles, and you can’t get off. I’ve been there. You know that feeling when you think about something important—whether it’s a deadline, a conversation you’re dreading, or some future worry—and suddenly, you're wide awake? Stress is the real culprit.

Sarah and I were talking about this the other day. She told me she spends hours lying awake, thinking about her job, her family, everything. I suggested to her to try journaling before bed, just jotting down everything on her mind. It's one way to trick your brain into thinking, “Okay, we’ve thought about it, now we can rest.”

2. The Power of Mindfulness and Meditation

Meditation was another game-changer for me. You don’t have to be a guru or a monk to benefit from it. Just a few minutes of deep breathing or guided meditation can help calm the anxious thoughts that keep you awake. I know, it sounds a little “new age,” but trust me, it works.

I’ve had nights where I couldn’t sleep, so I just put on a 10-minute sleep meditation on YouTube. It’s not a miracle cure, but it's something that helps. Slowly, those thoughts start to fade, and the pressure to sleep starts to lessen. It’s all about shifting your mindset, taking the edge off.

Creating a Sleep-Friendly Environment: Make It a Sanctuary

1. Setting Up for Success

Okay, so let’s get real. If you’re struggling with insomnia, your bedroom needs to be a sanctuary, not a place of anxiety. If you haven’t already, try to create a calm, cozy environment. That means no bright lights, no phones, no Netflix binges before bed. Create a routine that tells your body, “It’s time to wind down.”

A friend of mine, Emily, started using essential oils—lavender, in particular—to help with her sleep. The results weren’t immediate, but over time, she started to notice the benefits. Small changes, like dimming the lights an hour before bed or adding a soothing scent, can make a huge difference.

2. Sleep Hygiene: Not Just for Kids

Speaking of routines, let’s talk about sleep hygiene. I used to think it was all just about brushing your teeth and wearing comfy pajamas, but there’s more to it. Regular sleep patterns, avoiding caffeine too late, and keeping your bedroom dark and quiet can help signal to your body that it’s time for sleep.

I’ve tried to stick to a consistent bedtime lately, and it actually makes a difference—even if I don’t fall asleep immediately. The body loves routine, and it responds well to it.

What to Do When You’re Still Awake

1. Accept That It’s Okay to Be Awake

The most important part of accepting insomnia is realizing that it’s okay to be awake sometimes. Seriously, it’s not the end of the world if you don’t get the full 8 hours. Over time, you’ll learn that you can function the next day, even if you didn’t sleep as much as you wanted to.

I used to panic when I couldn’t sleep, but once I accepted that not every night is perfect, I started to feel less anxious. Now, if I wake up in the middle of the night, I simply tell myself, “It’s fine. I can rest even without sleep.”

Conclusion: Finding Peace in Sleeplessness

So, how do you accept your insomnia? It’s a process—starting with acknowledging that it’s a part of your life, for now. You don’t have to like it, but you can make peace with it. Shift your mindset from fighting insomnia to simply being with it. Try mindfulness, create a restful environment, and stop putting so much pressure on yourself to sleep. Acceptance might not bring instant sleep, but it’ll help you reclaim your peace.

Remember, you're not alone in this. Everyone goes through rough nights. But when you finally embrace insomnia as part of your journey, you'll start to feel less anxious, and maybe, just maybe, sleep will find its way back to you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.