Personal Story

I Finally Discovered Why Nothing Worked for My Insomnia—And It Had Nothing to Do With Sleep Hygiene

After 18 months of staring at the ceiling until 3 AM, this mother of two found what melatonin and Ambien couldn't give her

S
Sarah Mitchell
January 23, 2026 · 12 min read
Woman lying awake in bed at night
Photo illustration: Woman experiencing insomnia

I used to know my bedroom ceiling intimately. Every crack. Every shadow the streetlight made. The exact pattern of the acoustic tiles.

Not because I'm an interior designer. Because I spent three to four hours every night staring at it, exhausted but completely, frustratingly awake.

If you've ever lain in bed at 2 AM, so tired your bones ache but your mind won't stop racing through tomorrow's schedule and yesterday's mistakes, you know exactly what I'm talking about.

When "Just Tired" Becomes Something Darker

I'm Sarah. I'm 36 years old, and I have two daughters—ages 3 and 7. For nearly two years, I averaged four hours of broken sleep per night.

It started innocently enough. My youngest wasn't sleeping through the night. Normal newborn stuff. Except when she finally did start sleeping at seven months old, I didn't.

Exhausted mother with children
The exhaustion of parenting while sleep-deprived

I'd lie there listening to her peaceful breathing through the baby monitor, feeling this crushing mix of exhaustion and resentment. My seven-month-old could sleep. Why couldn't I?

The exhaustion wasn't just physical tiredness. It was this fog that made everything harder. I'd snap at my seven-year-old for spilling juice. I forgot a parent-teacher conference—twice. I'd drive to work and realize I couldn't remember the last five minutes of the drive.

"My husband said I seemed 'different.' He was trying to be gentle, but he was right. I wasn't myself anymore."

The Breakthrough I Didn't See Coming

Here's what none of my doctors explained to me:

Chronic stress doesn't just make you feel anxious. It fundamentally alters your brain chemistry.

The Science Behind Sleeplessness

  • Chronic stress elevates cortisol levels all day and night
  • High cortisol sends "stay alert" signals to your brain
  • Stress depletes GABA, serotonin, and other sleep neurotransmitters
  • Poor sleep further depletes these chemicals—a vicious cycle

When you're constantly stressed—work, parenting, functioning on no sleep—your body produces too much cortisol. That's your stress hormone. It's supposed to wake you up in the morning and help you respond to actual threats.

Brain and neuroscience concept
Understanding the brain chemistry of sleep

If You're Where I Was

If you're reading this at 3 AM, exhausted but unable to sleep, I see you.

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What do you have to lose besides another night counting ceiling tiles?

Important Disclosure

Personal Experience: This article contains the personal experience of one individual. Results may vary. Driftwell are a dietary supplement and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Sponsored Content: This is a sponsored advertorial. The author may receive compensation for purchases made through links in this article.

Medical Advice: Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any new supplement, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medications, or have a medical condition.