Currently listening to: Waiting For Tonight – Jennifer Lopez
Gone are the days when the sun used to set
On my empty heart, all alone in my bed
Tossing and turning
Emotions were strong
I knew I had to hold on
I’ve been battling insomnia since I graduated from uni. Some days are better than others, but it’s a constant struggle. I’ve tried medications in the past, but they would lose effectiveness over time unless I increased the dose. Before I knew it, I had built up a tolerance that made me uneasy. I didn’t want to become dependent on them, so I made the decision to stop taking them altogether.
I’ve also practiced every sleep hygiene tip I recommend to my patients with insomnia or sleep disturbance – avoiding blue light, exercise regularly, deep breathing exercises, avoiding heavy meals, avoiding caffeine after noon, and etc. While they help to some extent, they only seem effective when I’ve completely exhausted myself.
Most nights, I sleep anywhere between 3-5 hours, but it’s fragmented, and I often have difficulty falling back asleep once I wake up. By the weekend, my body crashes, and I’ll sleep for 12-14 hours straight, trying to make up for the week’s deprivation.
In an effort to help, a friend gifted me the NeoRhythm PEMF therapy device. It’s a non-invasive electromagnetic stimulation tool designed with medical-grade pulsed electromagnetic fields to aid with de-stressing, sleeping, meditating, focusing, and energizing. The device works by synchronizing with the brain for neurostimulation.
I downloaded the accompanying app, which allowed me to select frequencies and guided me through using the device. It was user-friendly, and initially, I saw some improvement. For about a month, my sleep noticeably improved, and I felt hopeful. But over time, its effectiveness waned, and I found myself back where I started.
I tried everything: switching between different wave settings, experimenting with placement (the front of my head, the back, around my neck, plus under my pillow), and even taking a month-long break before trying again. Unfortunately, none of these efforts restored the initial success.
I wanted to make the most of the device, especially considering its hefty price tag of $299, but in the end, it didn’t deliver the lasting relief I’d hoped for. Instead of letting it collect dust, I decided to donate it to a local charity, hoping it might be helpful for someone else.
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