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Cognitive Techniques I Used to Overcome Chronic Insomnia
Both cognitive and behavioral techniques were required for me to overcome my chronic insomnia. In this section, however, I will focus only on cognitive techniques.
By cognitive, I am referring to the mental aspects of insomnia – what goes on in the mind, namely thoughts and emotions.
I will first discuss the issue of labels and why they can be dangerous. I will then provide insight into negative, irrational sleep thoughts and their role in perpetuating insomnia. I then explain why and how negative sleep thoughts and worries, in my opinion, have such a powerful hold on those suffering with chronic insomnia. Finally, I discuss how I replaced negative sleep thoughts in my mind with positive, rational sleep thoughts.