Rest and good eating habits are two pillars of a healthy life. But, a good night's sleep does not come easily to people. As a result, many individuals rely on sleeping pills or over-the-countertop meds to gain quality rest. However, it is not ideal as sleep medication does not cure or address the root of the problem. It is just a temporary fix. Also, relying on medication to sleep peacefully through the night can lead to dependence and lower tolerance levels. Thus, it is better to choose CBT therapy over sleeping pills.
Cognitive-behavioural therapy (CBT) improves your sleep by changing your behaviour and thinking process. It aims to enhance your relaxation skills and lifestyle habits to promote a good night's rest. Another reason it is preferred over medication is that therapy relaxes your mind, alters your habits, and improves your daytime routine. Here is some additional information for those interested in finding out more about how CBT fixes sleep disorders and sets you up for quality rest at night. Have a glance!
Sleep disorder is a condition that impacts your ability to rest at night. It can leave you feeling exhausted and tired and influence your daily productivity. In most cases, a sleep disorder is either a result of poor emotional health or responsible for triggering imbalance. A few common rest problems that impact your physical, psychological, and emotional health include insomnia, sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome, narcolepsy, and circadian rhythm sleep disorders.
Cognitive behaviour therapy is a program that helps in identifying and replacing thoughts and behaviours that result in poor sleep. Patients are treated in a CBT program individually or in a group. The sessions can take place offline or online, and the therapy is usually customised to aid quick recovery. The length of a CBT program varies according to the type and severity of the problem, but you should know that no immediate relief or cure is promised. Instead, the treatment works slowly and steadily, and the results become evident over time.
CBT is a reliable treatment option for sleep problems. It addresses negative thoughts and behaviour patterns that contribute to poor quality sleep. Here are two main components of cognitive behaviour therapy:
You may have heard the phrase, changing the way you think can change the world. It is what cognitive therapy aims for. It challenges the negative thinking patterns that might be contributing to your sleep issues and replaces them with powerful, positive, and realistic thoughts. It mainly consists of three steps:
CBT doesn't only change your thinking pattern but aims to alter your habits and behaviours. It encourages you to substitute the acts that prevent you from gaining a restful night of sleep for good rest habits. Depending on the symptoms, your therapist may suggest you the following techniques:
To sleep better, you need to find the right therapist. Someone you can trust and talk to. For sleeping better and making CBT work for you, following steps like adding more physical activity to your schedule, reducing anxiety levels, and wisely choosing what to eat are recommended.
For treating sleep disorders, cognitive-behavioural therapy is one of the best alternatives. It aims to identify and change thinking patterns and behaviours that promote poor sleep quality. The treatment process is better than sleeping pills as it impacts the root cause of sleep problems.
Disclaimer: The facts and information contained in this article are obtained from reputed medical research organisations and do not necessarily reflect the opinions & beliefs of ResMed. The solutions mentioned above are only suggestive remedies for treating sleep problems and should not be taken as medical advice. The content is meant only for informational purposes. So, the readers are advised to practice caution and consult a healthcare professional before pursuing any solution.