For years, I believed that sleep was something I simply couldn’t master—like solving a Rubik’s cube or stopping my hairline from receding. I tried everything to quiet my mind: pills, mental exercises, expensive sleep teas. Nothing worked. In fact, many of these so-called solutions only made my insomnia worse. On the rare occasions I felt myself starting to drift off, a wave of relief and excitement would jolt me awake, leaving me more frustrated than ever. The harder I tried, the more elusive sleep became.
One night, as I lay in bed attempting an SAS technique to fall asleep by relaxing my body and controlling my breath, I finally gave up. It was clear that forcing sleep wasn’t for me. I had read all the books and done all the research, yet nothing changed. If my brain resisted every attempt to shut down, why waste hours each night trying?
The real question was what to do instead while lying there. I decided that a true crime podcast would be the perfect distraction for that half-awake, half-asleep state. I needed a steady monologue for my brain to passively absorb.
Before this, I never understood the appeal of podcasts—they seemed like background noise for mundane tasks. But soon, I was completely absorbed, learning about the surge of cults on college campuses in the 2010s.
The next morning, I realized I had been so engrossed in the dark tales that I had fallen asleep without even noticing. After trying everything, it turned out the one thing I hadn’t done was stop trying—and somehow, that worked.
Now, every night, I pick a new chilling story, and every night, I drift off without effort. For many of us, falling asleep has become like studying for an exam or perfecting a skill, when it’s actually the opposite: the less you focus on it and the less you care, the faster you nod off.
Most people with insomnia aim for a calm, Zen-like state to help them sleep. They don’t think of serial killers or violent break-ins. But as grim as it sounds, true crime works better for me than counting sheep ever did. Instead of straining to relax, maybe the key is to simply stop trying so hard.
Frequently Asked Questions
Of course Here is a list of FAQs about the topic The one change that made a difference I suffered from severe insomnia until I discovered a surprisingly effective though gruesome solution
BeginnerLevel Questions
1 What is the main gruesome solution youre talking about
Its the practice of imagining a very boring repetitive and mentally absorbing scenario to stop your mind from racing Its gruesome because its often described as being so monotonous its almost painful but it works by occupying your brain without stimulating it
2 How does thinking about something boring help you sleep
When you have insomnia your mind is often stuck in a loop of anxious or active thoughts A boring repetitive mental task forces your brain to focus on something mundane which calms the mental chatter and makes it easier to drift off
3 Do I need any special equipment or medication for this
No thats the best part This is a completely natural mental technique You just need your own imagination
4 Is this solution safe to try
Yes it is perfectly safe Its a cognitive trick not a physical intervention If you find it increases your anxiety you can simply stop and try a different method
5 Can you give me a simple example to start with
A classic example is imagining yourself repeatedly writing a single word on a chalkboard then slowly erasing it and then writing it again The key is that there is no story no excitement and no point to the activity
Advanced Practical Questions
6 Why is it described as gruesome or painful
Its called gruesome because actively forcing your mind to be bored can feel frustrating or mentally tedious especially when youre used to your thoughts racing You have to push through that initial resistance for it to work
7 Whats the difference between this and counting sheep
Counting sheep is a similar concept but its often too simple and can become automatic allowing your mind to wander back to your worries A more complex monotonous scenario requires more focused mental energy leaving no room for anxious thoughts
8 Ive tried it a few times and my mind still wanders What am I doing wrong
This is common The trick is to gently
