Exhausted but Can't Switch Off? Here's Why

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On this episode

Why can’t I sleep even when I’m exhausted? Rita De Michele speaks with Helen Dugdale, psychotherapist, brain coach, educator, and author of Put Insomnia to Sleep, about the hidden link between anxiety, racing thoughts, fear of not sleeping, and chronic insomnia. Helen shares practical strategies for reducing sleep anxiety, retraining negative thought patterns, creating a calmer bedtime routine, and understanding why overthinking at night can keep your body stuck in stress mode. If you have ever felt tired but wide awake, struggled with a racing mind at 2am, or wondered whether poor sleep is connected to anxiety, emotional triggers, or deeper patterns, this interview offers powerful insights and practical support.

About the guest

Helen Dugdale

Helen Dugdale is a Psychotherapist and brain coach, educator, trainer, and author with a background in science, psychology, education, and personal development.

Through her private practice, she helps people reduce anxiety, improve sleep, and retrain negative thinking patterns that affect emotional well-being, productivity, and performance.

She is the author of Put Insomnia to Sleep and is known for practical strategies that support better sleep, emotional balance, and lasting behaviour change.

Connect with Rita De Michele:

Podcast host and the Founder of the Beyond Diagnosis platform.