How Hypnosis Helped Brian Overcome Insomnia and Sleep Peacefully Again

Exhausted but Awake: Brian’s Story Begins

When Brian first stepped into my office, I could see the toll sleeplessness had taken on him. His posture sagged, his eyes were heavy, and his voice was drained of energy. “I just can’t sleep,” he sighed. “The moment I lie down, my brain switches into overdrive.”

Despite trying every sleep remedy—meditation, warm baths, red wine, even prescription sleeping pills—nothing had worked long-term. Like millions of others struggling with insomnia, Brian was stuck in a loop of exhaustion and anxiety.

Approximately 10% to 30% of American adults experience insomnia at some point in their lives.

Brian Is Not Alone - And Neither You Are

Insomnia is more than just missing sleep. It affects your mental health, emotional resilience, relationships, and work performance. According to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, around 70 million Americans are affected by sleep disorders, including insomnia:

• 30% to 35% of adults have brief symptoms of insomnia.

• 15% to 20% experience short-term insomnia lasting less than three months.

• 10% suffer from chronic insomnia disorder, characterized by symptoms occurring at least three times per week for at least three months.  (Source: Healthline)

Brian’s Struggle with Sleepless Nights

For Brian, insomnia started after a major promotion.

His mind had learned to associate bedtime with stress—not rest. This subconscious link between nightfall and overthinking was exactly what we needed to change.

Sleep Hygiene, Bedtime Routine and Sleep Schedule

We discussed sleep hygiene, which includes practices essential for consistent, restorative sleep. It involves our sleep environment, daily routines, and dietary choices.

• Bedtime Routine: A calming bedtime routine—such as reading, relaxation techniques, or a warm bath—signals the body to wind down for sleep.

• Consistent Sleep Schedule: Maintaining a regular schedule helps regulate the internal body clock, aiding in falling asleep and waking refreshed.

• Optimized Sleep Environment: A dark, quiet, and cool room, possibly with blackout curtains, earplugs, or white noise, enhances sleep quality.

Why Hypnosis Works for Insomnia

Hypnosis is a science-backed, drug-free method that targets the subconscious mind—where habits, emotional triggers, and beliefs live. Unlike logical thinking, the subconscious responds best to images, sensations, and emotions.

During our sessions, we replaced Brian’s internal chaos with a calming mental image—a peaceful day fly-fishing in a mountain stream. This visualization became his personal “relaxation anchor,” used to train his brain to associate bedtime with safety and rest.

Step One: Creating a Safe Space

When Brian lay on the daybed, his body was tense—shoulders tight, fists clenched. I began with a simple breathing exercise:

“Breathe in deeply… now exhale slowly, like releasing a sigh of relief. With each breath, you can let go a little more.”

As his body softened, I reminded him: “You’re safe here. There’s nothing you need to do except relax.” These words helped shift his nervous system out of fight-or-flight and into a healing state of rest.

Optimized Sleep Environment helps to beat insomnia but often it is not enough.

Guiding Brian into Hypnosis

Once Brian reached a deep state of relaxation, I used his own imagery to deepen the experience:

“Picture yourself knee-deep in a cool mountain river. Feel the current against your legs. Hear the water ripple. Smell the fresh air. Let your whole body soak in the peace.”

To support this further, I gently placed a weighted blanket over his legs—adding physical grounding to the mental calm.

Rewiring Stressful Sleep Patterns

In that relaxed state, we uncovered the root of Brian’s insomnia: a subconscious belief that being “always on” was the key to success. We reframed this belief:

“Rest is not laziness. It’s fuel for performance. When you sleep, your mind repairs and prepares you to thrive.”

Man sitting on his bed, practicing a sleep ritual to beat insomnia.

Building a New Sleep Ritual

To break old habits, Brian needed a new sleep routine:

• Deep Breaths before bed

• A calming mantra: “I release the day. My body is ready to rest.”

• Mental return to his fly-fishing scene

• Gentle finger pressure between thumb and index as a physical anchor

This routine told his brain: Now is the time to unwind.

The Transformation: From Sleepless to Rested

After just one session, Brian called me with excitement:

“I fell asleep within 10 minutes. It’s unbelievable. My wife couldn’t believe it either!”

We reinforced the results in a follow-up session and added a daytime relaxation cue—pressing his fingers together to instantly recall the relaxed state from hypnosis.

A month later, Brian shared that he’d been falling asleep consistently. “I finally wake up feeling like myself again,” he said. “I don’t know why I waited so long.”

Restful sleep achieved through successful hypnosis for insomnia.

Why Hypnosis for Insomnia Works

Brian’s story is one of many. Hypnosis for insomnia works because it calms the nervous system, retrains the brain’s associations, and helps you fall asleep naturally—without pills.

If you're lying awake at night with a racing mind, know this:

Sleep isn’t something you have to fight for. Sometimes, your mind just needs help remembering how to rest.

Thank you, Brian, for allowing me to share your story.

It's been a pleasure to help you to a restful sleep.

Much love, Kristin

Ready to Sleep Again?

If you’re struggling with insomnia or sleep anxiety, I offer personalized hypnosis sessions designed to help you sleep deeply, naturally, and confidently—just like Brian did.

Learn more or book a free consultation

Learn more about Hypnosis for Sleeping Issues Insomnia

There were so many questions, which weighted blanket I would recommend.

This is the one I use: https://amzn.to/40wMdXm

Soon, I will write a blog post on the benefits of weighted blankets for relaxation and anxiety. Stay tuned!