I experienced career burnout and one of the many symptoms of that experience was increased insomnia, specifically I found it very hard to go to sleep. This one symptom exacerbated nearly all my other symptoms. My depression was worse, my anxiety was worse, my hypertension was worse, I developed food sensitivities that I previously did not experience and the list goes on. In this short space, I want to emphasize that healing did not begin until I found tools to that worked for me to overcome my insomnia. I developed an audio tool for myself and I now share that tool freely with the world through my podcast: Sleep Lists. This was what finally helped me calm my very over anxious and active mind so that I could rest. And once I valued that rest as part of my daily journey, I was able to more frequently prioritize rest over media consumption or any form of conventionally productive task. Sleep is productive and joyful work that helps restore and refresh the body and mind.
Navigating the complexities of sleep disorders has been both a personal challenge and a professional curiosity for me. As someone who has grappled with the ebb and flow of insomnia, the impact has been multifaceted. Professionally, it initially hindered my focus and analytical sharpness, crucial tools in my role as an Industry Analyst. In terms of my health, the lack of restorative sleep led to a notable decrease in energy levels and cognitive function. Personally, it strained my ability to maintain social engagements and the joie de vivre that infuses my work as a blogger. However, this struggle also became a lens through which I've examined sleep science, translating my experiences into shared wisdom and management strategies for my readers.
Like many business owners, I've struggled with insomnia. At certain points, I was averaging only a couple of hours rest a night -- far too little to feel healthy on. And yet, I refused to believe that there was anything medically wrong. I was just busy and stressed, I told myself, like all entrepreneurs. But after a few months of exhaustion, I knew something had to be done, so I booked a sleep study. It wasn't a fun night spent hooked up to all those machines, but I learned something valuable. Turns out, I have mild sleep apnea. The fix was easy, and I can't believe I let myself suffer so long. Admitting that I had a problem was the first step towards solving it, and so I'd counsel others to not assume all that tossing and turning is because of a mental issue alone. Rob Reeves CEO & President, Redfish Technology https://www.redfishtech.com/fintech-recruiting/