Tag: help

Eleven Best Foods That Help You Sleep

Sleep-promoting foods including bananas, oatmeal, almonds, kiwi, tart cherry juice, whole grain bread, turkey, milk, and flaxseeds arranged on a kitchen table

Eleven Best Foods That Help You Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you struggle with insomnia, you may have wondered whether certain foods can help you fall asleep faster or sleep more soundly. The answer is yes, some foods appear to support healthy sleep. However, it is important to understand that no food […]

Can EMDR Help Reduce Nightmares?

Frightened man awake in bed after a nightmare, representing trauma-related nightmares, PTSD sleep problems, and EMDR treatment

Can EMDR Help Reduce Nightmares? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Can EMDR help reduce nightmares? Yes, EMDR may help reduce nightmares when the nightmares are connected to trauma, PTSD, anxiety, or disturbing memories that the nervous system has not fully processed. EMDR does not work by trying to force the dream to stop. It […]

Foods That Help You Sleep: What to Eat Before Bed

Healthy bedtime foods including oatmeal, cherries, kiwi, nuts, and yogurt that may support better sleep

Foods That Help You Sleep: What to Eat Before Bed for Better Sleep By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. If you are struggling with insomnia, you may wonder whether certain foods can help you sleep better. The short answer is yes. Some foods appear to support healthy sleep, while others can interfere with it. However, […]

What Is Sleep Coaching and Can It Help You Sleep Better?

Adult participating in an online sleep coaching session to improve sleep habits and overall well-being

What Is Sleep Coaching and Can It Help You Sleep Better? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You might be wondering, what is sleep coaching and can it help you sleep better? You may have come across the term “sleep coach,” but  what exactly is sleep coaching, and can it actually help you sleep better? For […]

When Should You Seek Help for Insomnia?

Adult reviewing a sleep journal with a therapist while seeking help for insomnia and chronic sleep problems

When Should You Seek Help for Insomnia? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. You should seek help for insomnia when sleep problems last more than a few weeks, affect your daytime functioning, increase anxiety about bedtime, or lead you to rely more heavily on medication, alcohol, or other sleep aids. Occasional poor sleep is normal. […]

Can CBT-I Help You Sleep Without Medication?

Peaceful bedroom with warm morning light and mountain views, representing natural sleep improvement through CBT-I without medication

Can CBT-I Help You Sleep Without Medication? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia, or CBT-I, can help many people sleep with less reliance on medication. CBT-I teaches the brain and body how to return to natural sleep by changing the thoughts, behaviors, habits, and nervous-system patterns that keep insomnia […]

Can Therapy Help You Sleep Without Medication?

Middle-aged woman sleeping peacefully as a result of therapy for sleep without medication

Can Therapy Help You Sleep Without Medication? By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. Yes, therapy can help many people sleep without relying solely on medication, especially when insomnia is being driven by anxiety, trauma, stress, pain, rumination, sleep fear, or learned patterns of nighttime alertness. Medication may provide short-term relief, but therapy addresses the patterns […]

How to Help Insomnia: Focus on Solutions, Not Causes

How to help insomnia through practical questions and solutions written on a napkin beside a coffee mug

How to Help Insomnia: Focus on Solutions, Not Causes By Dr. Charles R. Freeman, Ph.D. How to help insomnia is one of the most common questions I hear from patients. Many people spend years searching for reasons they cannot sleep, hoping that understanding the cause will solve the problem. While insight can sometimes be helpful, […]