Sleep problems are quite common in early recovery, and typical complaints include: difficulty falling asleep; difficulty staying asleep; frequent awakenings (‘fractured’ sleep); and vivid unpleasant dreams.

Good sleep patterns are an antidote for depression, and research shows that better sleep directly improves your mood. It takes a bit of practice but is definitely worth the effort. Some suggestions from recent articles on the value of CBT-I in treating insomnia:

  • Prepare the environment by turning off the TV/ computer, and by making sure the room is quiet and dark.
  • Commit to a regular time for bed and for waking up. Stick close to this schedule.
  • Try to restrict time in bed to time scheduled for sleep. Relax in a chair or in another room, rather than in bed. The idea is to condition yourself to using the bed for its real purpose.
  • Finish meals at least 3 hours before going to bed. Avoid caffeinated beverages (coffee, tea, soda) during that time period. Avoid taking naps after dinner.
  • Avoid smoking for 3 hours prior to bedtime.
  • Get regular exercise, but not less than 4 hours before bedtime.
  • Unless otherwise indicated, take prescribed medications several hours before bed.
  • If you find yourself lying in bed for 15 minutes or more, unable to sleep, get up and go to another room for a short while before returning to bed.
  • If you need a bedtime snack, try peanut butter or warm milk.
  • If you are worrying, distract yourself with a relaxation exercise or other calming technique. There are no problems that can be effectively solved during sleep time, anyway. You can go back to worrying about things in the morning.
  • A hot bath before bed can help prepare you for sleep.

Try not to spend a lot of time in bed other than when you’re sleeping or having sex. That helps condition your brain to a healthy sleep-wake cycle. You’ll sleep better and feel less tired when you awake.

If you believe you may have a sleep disorder, consult a physician for appropriate testing.