Sleep problems can be very common, with most people experiencing sleeplessness at some point during their lives.
Sleep doesn’t respond well to pressure and the more we struggle with thoughts like “I have to sleep now or I’ll be exhausted tomorrow”, the more alert and tense we become. ACT helps clients unhook from these thoughts and gently shift focus toward what they can control, things like creating a peaceful environment, responding kindly to discomfort, and aligning with what matters.
This information sheet includes hints and tips rooted in ACT principles to assist clients who have difficulty falling asleep.
Download sleep and self-careThis sleep and self-care sheet includes:
- The struggle switch: why trying to sleep often backfires
- Healthy sleep foundations, also known as sleep hygiene tips
- ACT tools for when sleep is hard covering core principles such as:
- Defusing from racing thoughts
- Dropping the struggle
- Coming back to the present
- Choosing what matters
- plus a compassionate reminder that your body knows how to sleep, it may just need patience, support, and less pressure.
It is an ideal resource to print out and pass on to clients who are struggling to sleep.
