In this episode we look at two common reasons that we are anxious even when we sleep when we have struggled with insomnia. We also look at the new format of the channel and a new coaching option.

In this episode we review the week on the channel. We find a nugget of insight in a message from Ashley who has noted that for her, becoming relaxed triggers anxiety.

After a stressful night as a line cook, Benjamin woke up with his heart racing. For the first time in his life, he had a sleepless night. Little did he know at the time that he was going to face an intense struggle.

Or that learning from insomnia would change his life in a wonderful way.

Jaideep is on the recovery path but is experiencing a half-sleep half-awake state many nights. Is this normal? Kyle has heard that sleep maintenance insomnia is the worst kind, because sleep restriction doesn't work. Is this true? Jake wonders if starting to use a tracking device is the way to go after a few days of restless sleep. Ashley wonders why she is become anxious from becoming relaxed.

In this edition of Heard online we look at an article from The deep sleep company. We find that the exact opposite of what leads us to have peaceful sleep is recommended to... someone who already sleeps well. And we see that turning this around, and leaving striving is why said person slept well in the first place.

A common question from the community is which is the way to follow where there are conflicting ideas. In CBTi we are told to get out of bed if we can't sleep.

In ACT we hear that we should stay. Natto says to befriend wakefulness. In this video, we look at various ideas of how to sleep well when you've been struggling. We find ideas that truly are conflicting and some that are closer than you may imagine.

In this weeks roundup, we look at a comment from Mary on Talking insomnia #99. Mary has done very well but is now a bit scared of the sandstorm. At the same time we have been upset about an article with a triggering title in Hear online #5. When is it acceptable to bring up something that can be scary?

In this episode we talk about the sandstorm. A struggle that can happen despite (or in some way because of) starting to see clearly why insomnia happens and how one can let go. Although this struggle feels like being lost in a painful and blinding storm of sand, relief may be closer than it seems.

In this episode we examine a study by Phyllis Zee and colleagues suggesting that light during the sleep period has health implications.

We find that there's little if anything to support the alarming title of the paper. We also find many alternative titles including "Bright light during the night does not affect melatonin levels".

In this episode we get a behind the scenes look at the designs of Set it & Forget it and This is Natto. We also get a sneak peak at the upcoming book Tales of Courage.