Many people come to hypnotherapy for anxiety but what they actually describe first is sleep.
They tell me they feel exhausted all day, then suddenly wide awake at night. The body is tired but the mind becomes active. Thoughts replay conversations, plan tomorrow, revisit worries or imagine problems that haven’t even happened.
You might recognise this:
-
You feel tired until you go to bed
-
The moment your head hits the pillow, your brain “wakes up”
-
You overthink past conversations
-
You lie awake predicting future scenarios
-
You wake at 3am and can’t settle again
This is incredibly common and most importantly, it doesn’t mean anything is wrong with you.
Your Brain Isn’t Broken But It Is Stuck in Alert Mode
Your brain has a built-in protection system. When it thinks you need to stay alert, it keeps problem-solving and scanning for danger. That’s helpful during the day but at night it prevents the brain from entering its natural processing state.
Sleep relies on a stage called REM (rapid eye movement). This is when the brain sorts emotional experiences, files memories and reduces stress levels. It’s essentially the brain’s housekeeping process.
When stress, overwhelm or anxiety builds up, the brain struggles to enter this state. Instead of processing thoughts, it keeps holding onto them so they appear at night when everything else becomes quiet.
Many people assume their problem is insomnia.
Often, it’s actually an over-busy mind.
Why Night-Time Is Hardest
During the day you have distraction, structure and activity.
At night you have silence.
That silence allows thoughts you’ve pushed aside to surface. The brain is simply trying to process, but without guidance it loops instead.
This is especially common for:
-
busy professionals
-
parents
-
people experiencing life changes
-
ADHD adults
-
people who are “coping well” outwardly
You may function perfectly during the day but feel mentally overloaded by evening.
How Hypnotherapy Helps Sleep
Solution-focused hypnotherapy works by helping the brain access the same natural state it enters during REM sleep but while you are awake and relaxed.
During hypnosis you remain aware and in control but your mind becomes calm and focused. In this state the brain can process thoughts and emotions more efficiently allowing it to stop holding onto them overnight.
Clients often notice:
-
falling asleep faster
-
fewer night wakings
-
reduced racing thoughts
-
waking feeling clearer
-
improved mood and energy
The Knock-On Effect
Sleep is rarely just about sleep.
When the brain rests properly:
-
anxiety reduces
-
emotional reactions soften
-
concentration improves
-
confidence increases
-
coping feels easier
Many people initially come for insomnia and find other areas of life improve naturally.
Hypnotherapy in Bath, Paulton and Midsomer Norton
I offer solution-focused hypnotherapy sessions in:
-
Bath
-
Paulton
-
Midsomer Norton
-
and online
Sessions are calm, supportive and practical. You don’t need to revisit difficult past experiences, we focus on helping your mind move forward.
If your mind won’t switch off at night, it may simply need guidance on how to process the day.
Sleep is not something you have to force.
Often, it returns when the mind no longer needs to stay on guard.
Healing space and time for body and mind.