You’re Not Broken—You’re Just Not Sleeping: Understanding Insomnia and How Therapy Can Help

It's 2 a.m., and you're wide awake. Again.

Your body feels exhausted, but your mind won't stop. You're replaying conversations from three days ago, worrying about tomorrow's meeting, mentally updating your to-do list. You check your phone. Scroll a little. Put it down. Pick it back up.

Maybe you fell asleep fine but woke up at 4 a.m. and couldn't get back to sleep. Or maybe it takes you two hours just to drift off every single night. Either way, you're tired of being tired. You're frustrated. You might even feel a little broken.

But here's the truth: you're not broken. Your nervous system is just stuck in overdrive—and that's something we can work with.

If you're living in South Florida and struggling with sleep, you're far from alone. Between the heat, the hustle, the traffic on I-95, and the pressure to keep up with everything, it's no wonder so many of us are lying awake at night. The good news? Insomnia is one of the most treatable sleep issues out there—and therapy, especially a type called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I), can help you finally get the rest you deserve.

What Is Insomnia, Really?

Insomnia isn't just one bad night of sleep. It's a pattern. It might look like:

• Lying awake for 30 minutes or more trying to fall asleep
• Waking up multiple times during the night and struggling to get back to sleep
• Waking up way too early and feeling wired, even though you're exhausted
• Feeling unrested even after a full night in bed

Insomnia can be short-term (a few nights or weeks) or chronic (happening at least three nights a week for three months or longer). And it often comes with a side of anxiety, irritability, brain fog, and that awful feeling of dragging yourself through the day.

If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it. And you're definitely not alone.

Why Does Insomnia Happen?

Insomnia doesn't usually come out of nowhere. It's often your body's way of responding to stress, anxiety, or an overwhelmed nervous system.

Here are some common reasons people struggle with sleep:

• Stress and anxiety: When your brain is in problem-solving mode 24/7, it's hard to switch off at night.
• An overactive nervous system: If your body is stuck in "fight or flight" mode, it thinks you need to stay alert—even when you're in bed.
• Depression or trauma: Mental health challenges can seriously disrupt sleep patterns.
• Life changes: A new job, a breakup, grief, a move—big transitions can throw off your sleep.
• Medical conditions or medications: Some health issues and medications can interfere with rest.

But here's where it gets tricky: even after the initial stress passes, insomnia can stick around. Why? Because your brain has learned to associate bedtime with frustration, worry, and wakefulness. You start expecting not to sleep—and that expectation becomes part of the problem.

The Habits That Quietly Make Insomnia Worse

Sometimes, the things we do to cope with sleeplessness actually make it harder to rest. You're not doing anything wrong—these habits are super common, especially in South Florida's fast-paced, always-on culture. But they can keep the cycle going.

Screen time before bed: Scrolling through Instagram or watching Netflix until you pass out might feel relaxing, but the blue light from screens tells your brain it's daytime. Plus, the content can be stimulating—even if it doesn't feel that way.

Irregular sleep schedules: Going to bed at midnight on weekdays and 3 a.m. on weekends confuses your body's internal clock.

Caffeine (even in the afternoon): That 3 p.m. iced coffee might be keeping you awake at 11 p.m. Caffeine stays in your system longer than you think.

Alcohol as a sleep aid: A drink might help you fall asleep, but it disrupts deep sleep and can wake you up in the middle of the night.

Lying in bed awake: When you spend hours tossing and turning, your brain starts to link your bed with stress instead of sleep.

Overthinking and problem-solving in bed: Your bed should be for rest—not for reviewing your entire life.

These habits aren't the enemy. They're just pieces of the puzzle. And once you understand how they affect your sleep, you can start to shift them.

The Vicious Cycle: Poor Sleep Fuels More Poor Sleep

Here's what often happens:

You have a rough night of sleep. The next day, you're anxious about sleeping again. That anxiety makes it harder to relax at bedtime. You lie awake, frustrated. You sleep poorly again. The cycle continues.

Before you know it, insomnia isn't just about stress anymore—it's about the fear of not sleeping. Your bedroom starts to feel like a battleground instead of a safe space.

This is where a lot of people feel stuck. But this is also where therapy can make a real difference.

How Therapy Helps You Sleep Again

Therapy for insomnia isn't about lying on a couch and talking about your childhood (unless that's helpful for you). It's practical, focused, and incredibly effective.

The most proven approach is called Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I). It's specifically designed to help you break the cycle of sleeplessness by addressing both the thoughts and behaviors that keep you awake.

Here's how it works:

Calming your nervous system: You'll learn techniques to help your body relax and shift out of "fight or flight" mode at night.

Changing unhelpful thoughts about sleep: If you're lying in bed thinking "I'll never fall asleep" or "I'm going to be a wreck tomorrow," those thoughts create more anxiety. Therapy helps you reframe them.

Building a healthier sleep routine: You'll work with your therapist to create a personalized plan that trains your body to sleep again—without relying on medication.

Reconnecting with your bed as a place of rest: You'll learn strategies to break the association between your bed and frustration.

CBT-I has been shown to work just as well (or better) than sleep medication—and the results last. You're not just masking the problem. You're actually healing your relationship with sleep.

You Deserve Rest—And Help Is Available

If you've been struggling with insomnia for weeks, months, or even years, it's easy to feel hopeless. But insomnia is treatable. Your body wants to rest. It just needs a little help getting back on track.

Therapy can give you the tools to sleep better, feel calmer, and reclaim your energy. And the best part? You don't even have to leave your home. Supreme Health & Wellness offers telehealth therapy to adults across South Florida—Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach County. You can meet with a therapist from your couch, your car, or wherever feels comfortable.

You don't have to keep suffering through sleepless nights. You don't have to keep pushing through exhaustion. Rest is possible. Healing is possible. And taking the first step is easier than you think.

If you're ready to sleep better and feel like yourself again, start therapy for insomnia with Supreme Health & Wellness today. You deserve rest. Let us help you find it.