You Can’t Force Sleep with Dr Maja Schaedel

From No Stress - the Stress Resilience Podcast · 58:58

Show by Pulsetto

In this episode of No Stress, host Abigail Ireland speaks with clinical psychologist and sleep specialist Dr Maja Schaedel about the psychology of sleep, why stress keeps us awake, and what we can do when the harder we try to sleep, the further it seems to drift away.Dr Maja explains why sleep is an automatic process rather than something we can force. When we turn sleep into a task to complete, the pressure to perform can activate the nervous system’s fight, flight or freeze response—making it harder to feel safe enough to switch off.Together, Abigail and Maja explore the thought patterns and physical responses behind insomnia, from clock-watching and catastrophic thinking to the habits that can accidentally teach the brain that bed is a place for worrying rather than resting. They discuss the role of sleep pressure, why an early night after poor sleep may not always help, and how small changes to routine can rebuild better sleep over time.Maja also shares practical, compassionate ways to reset when you wake in the night: change your sensory environment, step away from the pressure to sleep, use slow breathing or progressive muscle relaxation, and focus on rest rather than trying to make sleep happen.This episode is for anyone who lies awake worrying about sleep, wants to better understand their nervous system at night, or is looking for gentler, more realistic ways to improve rest.⸻Listen If You Want To✓ Understand why you cannot force yourself to sleep✓ Learn how stress and the nervous system affect sleep✓ Break the cycle of worrying about a bad night’s sleep✓ Build sleep pressure and improve your sleep routine✓ Know what to do when you wake up in the night✓ Let go of perfectionism around sleep and focus on rest⸻About Dr Maja SchaedelDr Maja Schaedel is a clinical psychologist specialising in insomnia, sleep difficulties and trauma-related sleep problems. She is co-founder of The Good Sleep Clinic, where she provides evidence-based psychological treatment for sleep difficulties, and also works in the NHS Sleep Disorder Centre at Guy’s & St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust. Her work combines cognitive behavioural therapy for insomnia with acceptance-based approaches to help adults, children and teenagers achieve better sleep.Resources & LinksHost: Abigail Irelandhttps://www.linkedin.com/in/abigailireland/https://www.understandingperformance.com/Guest: Dr Maja Schaedel — The Good Sleep Clinichttps://goodsleep.clinic/Learn more about nervous system regulation:Pulsetto Vagus Nerve Stimulation → https://uk.pulsetto.tech/Use code NOSTRESS for 10% off.Follow No Stress for more conversations on stress, recovery and resilience.This episode is for general information only and is not a substitute for personalised medical advice. If you are concerned about persistent sleep difficulties or other symptoms, speak with a qualified healthcare professional.#Sleep #Insomnia #SleepHealth #StressManagement #NervousSystem #CBTI #Rest #Pulsetto #NoStressPodcast00:00 Why you can’t force yourself to fall asleep07:04 Dr Maja’s own experience of insomnia as a new parent10:15 The paradox of trying too hard to sleep13:25 How stress puts the nervous system on high alert20:41 Take a step back: what are you really trying to achieve?25:37 Why getting out of bed can help break the worry cycle29:04 Focus on rest, not the pressure to sleep35:13 Sleep pressure: the daytime habits that shape your night45:25 Why less time in bed can sometimes improve sleep quality52:13 Spotting your “hooks” and returning to the present moment

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