For over ten years, I struggled with insomnia. Thinking about the pain that past me went through, I can’t help but shake my head. If you have trouble sleeping like I did, I am so sorry, first of all. I know how frustrating it can be to lay in bed for hours feeling exhausted but unable to quiet your mind.
Over those 10+ years I tried EVERYTHING: melatonin, CBD, chamomile tea, meditation, breathing exercises, regular exercise, you name it. If there is something that claims to help with sleep, I’ve tried it (with the one exception being sleeping pills). I was beyond desperate.
Now, after years of figuring out what tools work for me AND doing lots of emotional healing, I can finally sleep!! And, of all the things I tried, what helped me the most was Youtube videos, specifically guided meditations, yoga, and relaxing sounds.
Being able to sleep well has changed my life. I’m in a much better mood, I am more motivated, patient, optimistic, and just happier. There have been loads of physical changes, too. My skin and hair look healthier, I no longer feel back pain or stiffness, I’ve lost weight since I no longer “eat my feelings,” and I get headaches much less frequently.
Before I get into the videos, though, I want to emphasize that there is no one solution. There is (almost) never one solution. Although these Youtube videos were an amazing tool to help rewire my brain, I used them in combination with therapy, exercise, and building a good support system around me. I did a lot of self-reflection and had to dig deep into my psyche to find the root of my sleeping problems.
Also, re-teaching yourself how to sleep (which is basically what this is) takes a loooong time. Insomnia is complex and, for most people, it’s deeply ingrained in the body and mind. So it’s going to take time, commitment, and work to change those habits but it’s worth it.
Guided meditation
When my anxiety was at its worst, these “talk down” videos were one of the few things that could help me feel calm. Listening to these videos gave me the sense that someone loving and wise was telling me it was okay to let go and that I was safe. These four are my personal favorites but there are tons of these types of videos on Youtube. If the ones I’ve listed here don’t speak to you, search around and find one that speaks exactly to you and how you feel.
- Let Go of Anxiety, Fear & Worries: A Guided Meditation
- Hypnosis to Let Go of Negative Attachments & Rebuild Confidence (Sleep Meditation Healing)
- Bone Deep Sleep | Full-Body Relaxation and Guided Breathing Meditation – Rest and Restore
- Reprogram Your Mind While You Sleep. Positive Affirmations for Self Love
Yoga
Whenever I had a little more time and energy, doing yoga did wonders for getting me out of my head. When you’re forced to pay attention to your body and your breathing, you can’t help but feel more at ease. These three videos are specifically made to be done before bedtime so they’re lowkey and not the typical, intense yoga sequences.
- Restorative Yoga For Deep Sleep And Relaxation
- Yoga For Bedtime – 20 Minute Practice
- Yoga For A Relaxing Night’s Sleep
Relaxing sounds
These are the least stimulating type of videos but can be just as powerful. For whatever reason, the sound of gongs is very relaxing to me but there are hours-long videos of every sound you can imagine on Youtube: white noise, scribbling sounds, ocean waves. Find what kind of audio just makes you melt as you’re lying in bed and listen as mindfully as you can. Try not to let your mind wander off.
- Tibetan Singing Bowl Meditation Chakra Healing
- Gentle Night Rain, Rain Sounds to Sleep, Study, Relax, Reduce Stress, help insomnia
Not being able to sleep was one of the most frustrating and excruciating experiences I’ve ever had in my life. There are so many layers to insomnia but I hope you learned that there are also many resources on Youtube to help you relax even for a little bit. Sometimes, these videos were just a brief respite from my overactive thoughts and my mind would immediately revert back once the video was over.
That’s okay. Give it time and listen to them repeatedly if you need to.
If you listened to any of these videos, I’d love to know what you thought! Did it help? Are there other types of videos that you enjoy watching/listening to to fall asleep? Comment below and let me know if you tried these and what videos you would recommend!
dahee
