Sleepless Nights: Exploring the Triggers of Insomnia

As the early morning hours pass, you may find yourself anticipating a demanding day ahead. Despite being weighted down by fatigue, sleep still eludes you. While others are peacefully asleep, you're left wrestling with feelings of dread and anxiety. Even when you are desperately tired, various factors can contribute to your sleeplessness.

Why Can't I Sleep?

Sleep is a very personal journey, and factors impacting your ability to sleep can vary from person to person. However, most people share some of these common factors.

Factors Impacting Why You Can't Sleep

Trying too Hard to Sleep

Many of my clients wonder why they can't sleep, often unaware that their efforts to force sleep may be counterproductive. As a CBT-i therapist, part of my role is to shift the focus from trying to sleep to creating the right conditions for it. Sleep isn't something you can chase; it happens naturally. Through CBT for Insomnia, I can teach you techniques to set the stage for a restful sleep without the pressure of trying to force it.

Light Exposure Impacting Sleep

Is your home brightly lit late into the night? Do you spend evenings staring at screens, expecting to drift off easily afterward? Artificial light disrupts our circadian rhythm, affecting our body's internal clock. Blue light, in particular, suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Consider dimming lights as night falls and limiting screen time before bedtime to align with natural sleep patterns.

Caffeine Consumption Impacting Sleep

Caffeine consumption throughout the day can disrupt your ability to sleep at night. While a morning coffee may be fine, consuming caffeine later in the day interferes with adenosine, a chemical that promotes sleepiness. To avoid this, limit caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening, allowing your body's natural sleep mechanisms to function optimally.

What Can Help Me Sleep Better?

Establishing a Wind-Down Routine:

Despite the individualized nature of sleep challenges, one aspect remains consistent for many: the importance of establishing a wind-down routine. Similar to the bedtime rituals we provide for children, adults can also benefit greatly from relaxing before sleep.

Engaging in calming activities sends a clear signal to your body that it's time to unwind and prepare for rest. Whether indulging in a soothing bath, immersing yourself in a good book, or practicing gentle yoga stretches, finding what works best for you is key.

By consistently incorporating these activities into your evening routine, you can create the ideal conditions for a restful night's sleep. Remember to avoid stimulating activities and electronics before bedtime to optimize relaxation and promote a deeper, more rejuvenating sleep experience.

Elsbeth Fast, sleep therapist, sitting on a couch discussing sleep therapy with a patient.

Are you ready to finally get better sleep?

We get it. That's why were serious about helping clients tap into their body's natural ability to sleep so you can wake up feeling rested.

Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.


Stop Wondering, "Why Can't I Sleep?"

As you navigate the challenges of sleeplessness, remember that seeking support is a
sign of strength, not weakness. If you find you are persistently struggling with sleep
despite trying various strategies, don't hesitate to reach out for help. I am here to
provide guidance, support, and personalized solutions to help you reclaim restful nights
and rejuvenating sleep. Contact me today to take the next step towards a healthier,
more fulfilling sleep experience. Don't let sleeplessness define your days any longer –
let's work together to restore your well-deserved rest.

Sleepless Nights: Exploring the Triggers of Insomnia

As the early morning hours pass, you may find yourself anticipating a demanding day ahead. Despite being weighted down by fatigue, sleep still eludes you. While others are peacefully asleep, you're left wrestling with feelings of dread and anxiety. Even when you are desperately tired, various factors can contribute to your sleeplessness.

Why Can't I Sleep?

Sleep is a very personal journey, and factors impacting your ability to sleep can vary from person to person. However, most people share some of these common factors.

Factors Impacting Why You Can't Sleep

Trying too Hard to Sleep

Many of my clients wonder why they can't sleep, often unaware that their efforts to force sleep may be counterproductive. As a CBT-i therapist, part of my role is to shift the focus from trying to sleep to creating the right conditions for it. Sleep isn't something you can chase; it happens naturally. Through CBT for Insomnia, I can teach you techniques to set the stage for a restful sleep without the pressure of trying to force it.

Light Exposure Impacting Sleep

Is your home brightly lit late into the night? Do you spend evenings staring at screens, expecting to drift off easily afterward? Artificial light disrupts our circadian rhythm, affecting our body's internal clock. Blue light, in particular, suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to fall asleep. Consider dimming lights as night falls and limiting screen time before bedtime to align with natural sleep patterns.

Caffeine Consumption Impacting Sleep

Caffeine consumption throughout the day can disrupt your ability to sleep at night. While a morning coffee may be fine, consuming caffeine later in the day interferes with adenosine, a chemical that promotes sleepiness. To avoid this, limit caffeine intake in the afternoon and evening, allowing your body's natural sleep mechanisms to function optimally.

What Can Help Me Sleep Better?

Establishing a Wind-Down Routine:

Despite the individualized nature of sleep challenges, one aspect remains consistent for many: the importance of establishing a wind-down routine. Similar to the bedtime rituals we provide for children, adults can also benefit greatly from relaxing before sleep.

Engaging in calming activities sends a clear signal to your body that it's time to unwind and prepare for rest. Whether indulging in a soothing bath, immersing yourself in a good book, or practicing gentle yoga stretches, finding what works best for you is key.

By consistently incorporating these activities into your evening routine, you can create the ideal conditions for a restful night's sleep. Remember to avoid stimulating activities and electronics before bedtime to optimize relaxation and promote a deeper, more rejuvenating sleep experience.

Elsbeth Fast, sleep therapist, sitting on a couch discussing sleep therapy with a patient.

Are you ready to finally get better sleep?

We get it. That's why were serious about helping clients tap into their body's natural ability to sleep so you can wake up feeling rested.

Take the first step and fill out our contact form today.


Stop Wondering, "Why Can't I Sleep?"

As you navigate the challenges of sleeplessness, remember that seeking support is a
sign of strength, not weakness. If you find you are persistently struggling with sleep
despite trying various strategies, don't hesitate to reach out for help. I am here to
provide guidance, support, and personalized solutions to help you reclaim restful nights
and rejuvenating sleep. Contact me today to take the next step towards a healthier,
more fulfilling sleep experience. Don't let sleeplessness define your days any longer –
let's work together to restore your well-deserved rest.

Your Partner for Better Sleep

I love helping my clients reclaim restful sleep through cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia.

True Sleep Therapy is all about transforming your relationship with sleep so that you can regain confidence in your body’s innate, natural ability to rest. It fills me with great joy and gratitude to partner with my clients and to play in their life-changing sleep journey.

True Sleep is possible. You deserve it. I’d love to help you discover the promise of True Sleep.

Elsbeth Fast 

Elsbeth Fast
Licensed Clinical Social Worker LCSW
Specialized in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia with deep expertise in treating Insomnia with co-occurring PTSD, Depression, Anxiety Disorder, or Chronic Pain.

Better sleep is within reach.

You deserve restful sleep, and I can guide you there. 
© 2025 True Sleep Therapy. The contents of TrueSleepTherapy.com are licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Copying without permission is strictly forbidden.
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