My Insomnia Recovery Journey: 20 Years of Broken Sleep and What Finally Helped
- Feb 7
- 5 min read
At the tender age of three years old, I began waking up every single night for three to four hours.
I was absolutely wired — awake, restless, and unable to settle. I also experienced horrid nightmares around fires, witches, and nudity. As a result, I would force my mother to stay nearby. Sadly, this continued for the next twenty years of my life.
I know I am not alone in this.
For me, it led to long days with no energy, extreme moodiness, gut dysbiosis, arguments with loved ones (and lovers), feelings of deep isolation, pain, and self-hate. This was most of my childhood and the early years of my adulthood.
There were periods where my insomnia was worse, and other times where it wasn’t quite as bad. But all in all, I had a terrible sleep routine — and somehow survived on four to six hours most nights.
Many people used to say to me, “Just wait until you’re a mumma.”Little did they know the endless nights I had already battled, in pain, believing my body was broken.
When Sleep Became a Source of Shame
Sadly, many situations further reduced my sleep to two to three hours maximum.
As a child I felt powerless having to leave sleepovers early, knowing everyone else was fast asleep while I’d probably be awake until 3am.
I absolutely hated that I couldn’t sleep next to my first lover. I felt vulnerable, weak, and like my body was a failure.
I couldn’t eat sugar-based foods at all (during the day), which left me wondering why I was so sensitive.
These were the extreme cases — basically no sleep at all.
Later, I learned that I could fall asleep if I went for a 40-minute run at midnight, or an 8km walk on days I’d had sugar if I couldn't sleep. But still, no matter how much I tried, even in a controlled environment, I would often go to bed at 9–10pm, wake up at 4–5am, and be awake for two or more hours throughout the night.
“How Am I Doing Everything Right — And Still Suffering?”
I felt clueless. And again — broken.
Honestly, it really fucked with my mental health, career output, and digestion. I hated myself. I judged my actions and my body. I could barely work more than one to two days a week, and my stomach felt like it was turning itself inside out.
I remember thinking,“How the hell can I be doing all the things and still suffering?”
Just before meeting my first lover, I actually hacked my sleep for a short time. But after falling deeply in love — eating out, having late-night chocolate, and living on love — I forgot all my tools.
As beautiful as that season was, my body was aching. And while I had big ambitions and goals, I had to put everything aside because I simply wasn’t sleeping.
Remembering My Truths About Sleep on My Insomnia Recovery Journey
Turns out, I forgot my truths about sleep.
Before I share them, I want you to know this: I still have nights of no sleep. But now, 90% of the time, I know exactly why. And sometimes I’m still like… WTF? What happened?
I also want to be very clear — I am not a practitioner or health expert. I am not advising that these will help you. I am simply sharing what directly impacts my sleep, in the hope that maybe — just maybe — it helps you better support yours.
What Directly Supports Good Sleep For Me
Food & Stimulation (The Biggest Contributor)
The single biggest factor for good sleep is eating none — and I mean NONE — of the following:
Dates
Honey
Maple syrup
Coconut sugar
Sugar of any kind
Cacao or chocolate
Caffeine
Sweet potato
Rice
Or large amounts of fats (excluding nuts and avocado)
Not even a mouthful.
Instead, I eat:
Unlimited carob
Stevia or monk fruit
Quest protein bars (people can judge — I honestly don’t care. This girl needs more than veg and meat. If I sleep on protein bars, I’m 1000% healthier than eating a Medjool date and having no sleep)
Buckwheat
Quinoa
Cassava flour
Coconut flour
In cases I want the sugar hit I use monk fruit with erythritol — though, to be honest, this messes with my digestion.
Science refinement: For some people (especially those with sensitive nervous systems), sugar, cacao, and stimulants can spike blood glucose and cortisol, increasing nighttime adrenaline and early-morning waking.
Lifestyle Boundaries That Changed Everything
No technology or TV after 6pm (if I do, it’s literally one minute to reply to a bestie).
No drugs, alcohol, psychedelics, or even “sleep supplements” — they never help me.
I aim to eat my last meal by 5pm (hard, but powerful).
I’m in my bedroom by 8pm, reading or journalling until ultra sleepy.
I leave gatherings early — usually 7pm, 8pm max. I don’t care who it is and how good the chats are because I’m awake again at 4–5am, and I protect that.
Environmental & Emotional Triggers
Mould is HUGE for me — even air-con mould. When Airbnbs say “no mould,” I know instantly when they’re lying because I’m wired at night.
The people I’m around at night must be grounded, peaceful, and calm. Tight or dysregulated energy makes my body feel unsafe to sleep.
I must eat a lot, especially protein — around 150g most days.
What I Believe Is Actually Happening in My Body
All of the above impacts my sleep through one or more of these pathways:
My liver feels overloaded and burdened
My adrenals don’t feel safe, pumping cortisol and adrenaline
My brain stays wired (especially after social stimulation)
My blood sugar is too high and needs to be “burnt off”
My inner child doesn’t feel supported, nourished, safe, or validated
Science refinement: Chronic sleep disruption is often linked to nervous system dysregulation, cortisol rhythm disruption, blood sugar instability, and environmental stressors — not “weakness” or lack of willpower.
Where I’m At Now
I am so happy because I’m sleeping.
Most nights, I finish eating by 6:30pm (ideally 5:30pm), go for a small walk, draw or chat with my housemates, and head to bed by 8pm for gratitude journalling and reading.
And honestly — it’s the best.
To keep it real: on days I don’t eat enough, eat too close to bed, feel overstimulated, or emotionally under-nourished (think stressful conversations, no deep connection, work pressure), I often don't sleep well. Sometimes I sleep on my bedroom floor or another space to feel grounded. Yes, I sleep on the floor.
For me, this is essential. I would rather sleep on the floor than not sleep at all.
If I’ve had a food reaction, I know I must go for an 8km walk — no matter the time. Sometimes I only realise this when I’m wide awake at 10pm with a pounding heart.
Why I’m Sharing This
Guys — this is literally my sleep journey.
All of my recipes (for myself, and that which I will share on this blog) are created to be deeply fulfilling and support optimal sleep. I share this because I know so many of you are suffering too, and I genuinely want you to have the best sleep ever.
Sleep matters. So much.
I hope this helps and nourishes you.
Hugs,
Alana xx
✨ End-of-Post Summary (Key Takeaways)
Lifelong insomnia is often rooted in nervous system safety, not discipline
Sugar, stimulants, mould, and emotional dysregulation can deeply impact sleep
Early dinners, low stimulation evenings, and strong boundaries changed everything
Sleep requires nourishment — physically, emotionally, and energetically
There is nothing “wrong” with you if sleep has been hard
P.S This post is not advice — it’s my lived experience and my insomnia recovery journey, shared in the hope that it helps you feel less alone and more empowered to support your own sleep.
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