Summary

The "So, What?" method is introduced as a strategy to combat insomnia by identifying and addressing the underlying worries that prevent sleep.

Abstract

The article discusses a method for overcoming insomnia known as the "So, What?" technique. This method involves repeatedly asking oneself "so what?" in response to the thoughts and worries that surface during bouts of sleeplessness. The goal is to drill down to the core concern causing the anxiety, which often leads to the realization that the worry is either unfounded or beyond one's control. The article suggests that acknowledging this can bring peace of mind and allow for a return to sleep. It also offers two additional tips: recognizing that one cannot predict the future and exaggerating fears to a ridiculous extent to make them seem less threatening.

Opinions

Standard advice for insomnia, such as journaling, reading, or meditating, may not always be effective.
The "So, What?" method is presented as a useful tool when other methods fail to quiet the mind.
The article implies that most people are not capable of predicting the future accurately, and thus, worrying about future events is often unnecessary.
Exaggerating fears to an absurd level can help diminish their power and make them seem more manageable.
It is suggested that identifying the root of one's anxiety can sometimes be enough to stop worrying altogether.

How to Get Back to Sleep

Little-Known Method for Beating Insomnia

It’s 3 am.

You’re tossing and turning, trying not to wake up your partner…while at the same time wishing they’d wake up and hug you.

You wish you could go back to sleep, but your mind is reeling with thoughts…ideas…worries…

And every time you try to “breathe deep” or count sheep you just end up more and more agitated. More anxious.

Finally, you get up, go to the couch and spend the rest of the night anxious about feeling tired the next day.

Until your alarm goes off, just as you’ve FINALLY dozed off.

If only you could quiet those thoughts. Actually get some sleep.

Well, maybe you can.

Little-Known Method for Falling Back to Sleep

If you experience occasional insomnia, you’ve probably gotten some decent advice in the past.

Journal about it
Read a book
Get up and do something else…then try again
Take deep breaths
Meditate

…I’m sure there are more.

But when all else fails, try the “SO, WHAT?” method.

Here’s how it works:

Notice the thoughts going through your mind. For example, you might be thinking, “I can’t sleep!” Great.
Ask yourself, “so, what?” In other words, so what if you can’t sleep?
Notice the answer. For example, you might think, “Well, if I can’t sleep, I’ll be really tired tomorrow at work.”
Ok, “so, what?” At this point you might think, “If I’m tired at work tomorrow, my presentation won’t go so well.”
So what? “If I totally mess up my presentation, my colleagues might think I didn’t prepare.”
So what? “If they think I didn’t prepare, they’ll think I’m a slacker.”
…so what?

Like this…keep asking yourself, “so what?” to get to the deepest worry.

How do you know you’ve reached it? You’ll usually FEEL it in your body. It’ll resonate in some way.

Knowing what you’re actually worried about is sometimes enough to stop worrying.

If that’s the case for you, then take that deep breath…and go back to sleep!

But if it’s not enough…here are two more things you can do.

№1: Realize that you can’t actually tell the future.

Any time you worry about the future, you’re trying to be a fortune-teller.

And…most of us can’t tell the future.

In fact, the event you’re worrying about may never happen. The opposite might happen.

№2: Try taking your fear to ridiculous levels.

Not only will your colleagues think you’re a slacker…they’ll plan a cherry tomato firing squad and stain your best suit!

Let’s Summarize

If you can’t go back to sleep and the standard methods aren’t working for you, try asking “so what” over and over again to uncover what’s really bothering you.

If you need more than that, realize that your fear is you trying to tell the future…and it’s likely you can’t tell the future.

Most of the things you worry about will never happen!

Finally, you can take your fear to ridiculous, cartoon-like levels.

Try those out the next time you can’t sleep and see if you can get some extra Zzzs!