September marked a huge milestone for me—returning to work after a 5-month break due to burnout caused by chronic insomnia. It’s been an emotional and challenging journey, but I wanted to share my experience in the hopes that it might resonate with some of you, especially if you're struggling with sleep issues.
The Impact of Burnout and Insomnia
For months, I was trapped in a vicious cycle of anxiety and poor sleep. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t fall asleep or stay asleep. Even with the help of sleeping pills, I was only getting 1-2 hours of rest per night. The exhaustion built up, affecting my ability to function—both personally and professionally. Eventually, I had to step away from work to focus on recovery.
The Challenge of Returning to Work
As September approached and I prepared to rejoin the workforce, I noticed my sleep patterns shifting again. I started waking up more frequently during the night and getting fewer hours of sleep. This change wasn’t entirely surprising—my anxiety about returning to a full schedule played a big role in disrupting my sleep.
However, what kept me grounded was the realization that even with these disruptions, I was still averaging around 6 hours of sleep per night. This was a huge improvement compared to the sleepless, pill-dependent nights I had endured before my sick leave. Even though my sleep wasn’t perfect, it was progress.
Tracking My Sleep: A Game-Changer
One of the key tools that helped me during this transition was tracking my sleep. I started using a digital sleep tracker to monitor not just how long I slept, but the quality of my sleep, my wake-up times, and any patterns I could observe. Seeing the data allowed me to better understand my progress and manage my expectations.
If you’re interested in tracking your sleep and gaining a deeper insight into your sleep patterns, I’d recommend checking out my sleep tracker in digital format. It’s been incredibly helpful for me, and it could offer you the same clarity and peace of mind on your journey toward better sleep.
Take Control of Your Sleep
If you're dealing with insomnia, burnout, or just want to improve the quality of your sleep, tracking can be a powerful tool. Feel free to reach out, and I’d be happy to share more about how I’ve used this method to make real, lasting improvements.
Here it is how I slept in September 2024:
