Difficult Quote by Shelby Harris
“I'll work on patient's thoughts about sleep, "So I must get eight hours of sleep tonight or I won't sleep tomorrow." That sometimes - or "I won't function tomorrow." That sometimes makes it very difficult for you to sleep at night”
About This Quote
Source Interview: Shelby Harris on sleep therapy, 2023
Negative sleep beliefs create a self‑fulfilling cycle that worsens insomnia.
In simple terms: Bad thoughts about sleep worsen insomnia.
Key Takeaway
Challenge and reframe sleep thoughts.
Themes
sleep
cognition
therapy
Mood
reflective
concerned
Type
therapeutic
psychological
When to use this quote
- patient counseling
- sleep education
- nighttime anxiety
- behavioral change
Key Concepts
cognitive behavioral therapy
sleep hygiene
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you test the belief about eight hours?
- What alternative thought could replace the fear?
A Different Perspective
Changing thoughts may be difficult without professional guidance.
![“When they [people with insomnia] start worrying about not sleeping, I'll say, "Say the mantra to myself; if I don't sleep tonight, I'll likely sleep tomorrow, and if not tomorrow then definitely the third" because our body has a way of naturally catching up.” quote by Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/234/shelby-harris-10520_body_when-they-people-with-insomnia-start-wor_5850.jpg)
![“We're not really sure why it [broken circadian rhythm] continues, but when they become adults, we usually have to treat it because many people need to get up early to go to work and they can't be sleeping until 11:00 or 12:00. So we use treatments like bright light therapy, melatonin, things like…” quote by Shelby Harris](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/img-quotes/7da/shelby-harris-10520_adults_we-re-not-really-sure-why-it-broken-circ_173576.jpg)
