What causes this problem? There are several complicated reasons, but as far as athletes are concerned the most common problem is overactive thinking. The athlete begins to focus on the future, and then "thinks" themselves awake.

How does it affect the athlete? The sleep missed reduces the quality recovery time, this results in leaving the athlete over tired. Not sleeping compounds the physical tension and also allows the athlete to build a tremendous negative dialogue.

How can you overcome insomnia?

Trick your brain! There are some little mental tricks you can use that will help you get to sleep. Counting is a good one. Counting sheep or anything else removes your line of thinking from the problem to a task.

The next idea is good for people who been really tired and can remember that situation and feeling. We call this anchoring. Anchoring is when you have a specific feeling or thought about a past event.

Some athletes have had great success in using a sleep tape.

Script for sleep

Several of my athletes have experienced success with developing scripts that assists them in getting to sleep. Try this one. It is one that it is used quite a bit.

First, lie down. Get comfortable. Loosen any tight clothing. Take a deep breath and then blow it out slowly. Focus on feeling the air rush from your body. Feel the heat of the air as it takes away the stress and tension from deep within your body. Feel that heat in your throat. Feel your chest go up, then follow it as it collapses, down, down, down into body.

Good! Now focus on your body. Feel the weight of your body on the floor. Relax and let your body spread out like an ice cube on warm pavement. Search for the feeling. You can actually feel your body relax and spread out.

Next, locate the point where your spine touches the back of your head. Focus on that spot for a moment. Shut your eyes and allow that feeling to spread from the base of the neck to all parts of your neck, your back, and the rest of your body.

Feel the heaviness in your body. It feels as if the bed is lifting you up. Surrender to this feeling. Let it go. Focus on your tiredness. Squeeze your eyelids together tightly and hold them there for a slow count to ten.

Now, with your eyes closed, look up and back into your head. You will feel your eyes looking up, as if they were looking under your scalp. As you look under your scalp, slowly count to fifteen, then relax. Let your eyes relax.

Take a deep breath. Blow it out. Tell your shoulders to relax. Let them sag under their own weight. Now allow your body to sink down into the bed. It is ready and wants to relax.

Good. Now focus on your legs. Make them heavy. Let them sink. Your feet will start to relax, and you will feel as if you are floating. Focus on that feeling, float on into a relaxed state, and allow yourself to drift off to sleep. Think: "sleepy, eyes heavy, body relaxed, resting." Focus on the feeling this brings to your body and enjoy it. "Sleepy, eyes heavy, body relaxed, resting." Go to sleep, enjoy it, and awaken refreshed.