For 12 long years, sleep was a luxury I could only dream of. After a miscarriage, my world was turned upside down, and insomnia became my constant companion. Every night felt like a battle, and every morning a reminder of how tired and helpless I was.
At first, I turned to sleeping pills, thinking they were the answer. For a while, they worked, but they soon became a crutch. Each night, I needed a higher dose to feel the slightest relief. Eventually, even that stopped working. The pills that once lulled me to sleep became useless, and I was left staring at the ceiling, wide awake.
This story isn’t just about insomnia. It’s about desperation, resilience, and ultimately finding hope in the darkest moments.
Trying Everything and Finding Nothing
When you can’t sleep, you’ll do anything to make it happen. And I tried everything.
I started with the basics: a dark, cool room, essential oils, and bedtime rituals. I banished electronics from my bedroom, installed dimmable lights, and even added a jacuzzi for pre-sleep relaxation. Nothing worked.
I experimented with eye masks, earplugs, and soundproofing my room. Every small sound felt like an enemy, jolting me awake without any hope of returning to sleep. I read about cortisol and melatonin and started taking cold showers in the morning, spending time in the sun to regulate my body’s rhythms. Still, sleep remained elusive.
Desperate for solutions, I traveled to Thailand, buying boxes of melatonin that weren’t available in my country. I had friends bring them back for me, clinging to the hope that this time, it would help. I swam every evening, sat in the sauna, and tried massages—Thai, Balinese, anything that promised to relax me. I gave up coffee, green tea, and any stimulant that might interfere with sleep.
I woke up at 4 a.m. to meditate and tried going back to sleep later. I changed my diet repeatedly, incorporating bananas, honey, chamomile, and kiwi, each touted as a sleep aid. I scoured the internet for remedies, devouring every suggestion, but nothing worked.
The Breaking Point
I even reached out to doctors and medical schools, desperate for guidance. I emailed Harvard, who directed me to a site listing 354 clinical studies on insomnia. I applied to every single one, only to face rejection after rejection—either because of my location or language barriers.
By the beginning of this year, I hit rock bottom. The sleeping pills I relied on were completely ineffective, even when I increased the dose fivefold. I couldn’t sleep for a single hour. My body and mind were broken, and I knew I couldn’t go on like this.
The wake-up call came when burnout forced me to stop working. My doctors told me to take a break, and for the first time in years, I had no choice but to slow down.
Finding Hope Within
It was during this time that I realized something profound: the solution wasn’t external. It wasn’t in a pill, a routine, or a product. It was within me.
I turned to meditation, dedicating six hours a day to calming my mind. I listened to Thich Nhat Hanh’s teachings, letting his words guide me to a place of peace. And for the first time in 48 hours, I slept—just one hour, but it was natural. No pills, no rituals, just sleep.
That moment changed everything. It was proof that my body still remembered how to sleep. Over the next eight weeks, I built on that progress. Slowly but surely, I achieved my first full night of natural sleep—eight glorious hours. Today, even on my worst nights, I sleep at least five hours, and on my best, I’ve reached 12.
My Greatest Achievement
For many, professional milestones are the pinnacle of success. But for me, nothing compares to the triumph of sleeping drug-free. It is, without a doubt, the hardest and most rewarding journey I’ve ever undertaken.
This experience taught me that sleep isn’t a one-size-fits-all solution. Each person’s struggle is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. But I also learned that with the right tools and mindset, better sleep is possible.
Building a Mission: Natural Sleep
Out of my struggles, I found purpose. I combined my tech background with my passion for neuroscience to create Natural Sleep, a project born from my journey and designed to help others on theirs.
At Natural Sleep, our mission is simple: to provide a holistic, one-stop platform for anyone struggling with sleep. Whether you’re just starting to address your insomnia or looking for advanced solutions, we want to make the search easier.
Our platform offers a wide range of products and price points, empowering you to choose what works best for your situation. For some, it might be a small change in their bedtime routine. For others, it could be meditation, a device, or a combination of tools. No matter where you are on your journey, we aim to meet you there.
A Message of Hope
If you’re reading this and struggling with sleep, I want you to know you’re not alone. I’ve been in the depths of insomnia, feeling hopeless and desperate. But I’ve also climbed out of that darkness and found rest on the other side.
Sleep is not just a luxury; it’s a fundamental need, and everyone deserves to experience it naturally and peacefully. My story is proof that even after years of struggle, change is possible.
At Natural Sleep, we’re here to support you every step of the way. Whether it’s a small adjustment or a transformative shift, we believe in your ability to find rest. Because sleep is not just about closing your eyes—it’s about waking up to a better life.
