The Sleep Workbook: Easy Strategies to Break the Anxiety-Insomnia Cycle

I did NOT receive a copy from the publisher. I actually paid for this book, so I was really hoping it would help me reset myself and get to the bottom of my lifelong on-and-off insomnia, but it's been three weeks and I am sleeping worse than ever.I had already tried most of the tips in the book and had hoped it might reveal some new info that would help me. I think this book would be helpful for people who have mild anxiety or acute (versus chronic) insomnia or who have never explored options like meditation or CBT before or who were unfamiliar with sleep hygiene, etc.

Just because I didn’t learn anything doesn’t mean someone else won’t. I would have preferred more data vs just reiterating the same common sense info. I thought I was reading the same pages over and over. Maybe that’s the point, repeat yourself constantly to get the message across or it lacked data from trials and pages needed to be filled. I hope others can benefit from it. I’m currently reading another CBT/CBTI book and I’m only on page 46 and have learned more than I did in this whole entire book.

No new information that is not already common knowledge!

Easy to read. Covered everything about anxiety and insomnia I was wondering about and gave me really helpful tips.

Returned

Great information and easy exercises from a reputable sleep specialist. Easy to read and understand.

This is a good place to start if you are having trouble sleeping. It begins with explanations of why people might have trouble sleeping and different disorders that may lead to that. There are several quizzes that help you determine your personal sleep issues. Then the author uses cognitive behavioral therapy suggestions to guide the reader with journaling and a log you can use to figure out your sleep patterns. The ideas for bedtime routines are practical and easy to follow. They include meditation, journaling, mindfulness, muscle relaxation, and even lavender and chamomile tea.What I liked: I liked the quizzes, journaling ideas, and the log. All of these things together help you figure out your individual issues and how you can address them. I also liked that each of these things are gathered into a separate part at the back of the book so you don’t have to go searching for them. I really liked the chapter about anxiety—something all of us need on occasion. The author gives you practical ideas for you to use in order to move your thoughts into a calmer pattern. I also found the tips about what to do when you wake up in the middle of the night to be helpful!What I didn’t like: Nothing. I thought this was a very well-done book and a good place to start on your journey to dreamland.Recommendation: If you, like me, have trouble with sleeping, pick up a copy of this book. It will help you figure out the problem and where to go from there. Definitely recommended.Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher in exchange for a free and honest review. All the opinions stated here are my own true thoughts and are not influenced by anyone.

Anxiety crept into my chemical makeup once my body started recovering from having kids, and it has been a real challenge. A couple of years ago, my anxiety started manifesting as insomnia. Tired and ready to sleep, I'd close my eyes and my brain would explode with thoughts and visions and chaos for hours. I've been on a strict routing of baths and tea and magnesium every night, but sometimes the anxiety still slips in. The fear of the insomnia/anxiety is also hanging over my head constantly.Well you can now understand how excited I was to request this book from the publisher!! I feel it was written just for me, and I'm comforted to know that "my" problem is common enough that there is a book written about solving just this thing.The author examines sleep and goes into some of the reasons for insomnia in the first part of the book, but it is solutions-oriented. There is just a little bit of journaling and self-examination but the author's extensive background in Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is the real star. The second part of the book, the actual program, encompasses several different aspects to help break the cycle.Its definitely a worthwhile read and I am incorporating the ideas into my nightly schedule. So far, so good. An informative and helpful book!