Escape Versus Living

[Brendan H]

I was able to get about 4 or so hours of sleep last night before waking up for my usual routine for the past few months; taking another melatonin tablet, having a sip of wine, warm milk, etc. to be able to fall back asleep. The remainder of the night were cat naps, which has been the case for the last few months more often than not.

Not being able to fall back asleep for more than a half hour or so, I decided to go to lay down on my couch while the sun was still down, put a soft blanket on, fall asleep and escape from the ringing while watching TV.

Anyway, my escape to the couch didn't work for long, but I forced myself to just lay there and relax for as long as I could.

It was at that point that I came to the realization that most activities I engage in now are attempts to escape.

But as most of us know, running from a problem doesn't make it go away. It's very obvious in this case. The last audiologist I saw told me to "walk in to it," and I think I get what she meant now.

Today, I'm going to try and stop running. I'm going to visit my family because I love them, I'm going to walk in the park because it's good exercise, and I'm going to lay on the couch because it's relaxing. Nothing will be done as an attempt to escape. I don't think trying to escape works anyway, because we end up checking in with ourselves to see if it's gone...

 

[Scottrock]

Cheers to that Brendan. I started back at my day job today, with the same attitude and was all good until the last half hour where lack of sleep got the better of me and the volume went through the roof. I too am struggling without proper sleep, getting about 2 - 3 hours at best. I reckon if I can nail that, I'll go a full day.
All the best mate.

 

[MikeL1972]

Hi Brendan,

Welcome aboard!

Everyone afflicted with tinnitus has various techniques and coping methods when it comes to getting a good nights sleep. Here are a few suggestions:

1) Go to bed an hour or so earlier than normal;
2) Start some kind of a ritual prior to bed; for me it is listening to jazz/soft rock before going to sleep;
3) Let tinnitus win as your audiologist suggested. Once you do this, your brain will gradually accept it and regard it as not threatening, thus lessening your stress and anxiety levels towards it.

Good luck!