The Sleep Fix with ABC News Anchor and Former Insomniac Diane Macedo

Join Amy Morin, LCSW, as she interviews Diane Macedo, an Emmy Award-winning journalist and author of "The Sleep Fix," on strategies for overcoming insomnia.

Meet Diane Macedo

Diane Macedo is an ABC News anchor and correspondent. She has appeared on Good Morning America, World News Tonight, and World News Now. Diane is also the author of "The Sleep Fix," a book that recounts her personal journey from being an insomniac to getting quality sleep.

Why Diane Macedo Is Mentally Strong

Diane is not an expert on sleep, but she has become knowledgeable about what helps her sleep better. She is willing to share her struggles and solutions with others, emphasizing that insomnia is not a sign of weakness or necessarily an underlying mental health issue. Sometimes, misconceptions about sleep can be the root of the problem.

What You'll Hear on the Show

• Diane's journey from sleeping three hours a night to getting six and a half hours of sleep
• Misconceptions about sleep and how they keep people awake
• How a bed can become associated with staying awake and worrying
• A journaling strategy to turn off the brain at bedtime
• Realistic screen-time strategies for unwinding before bed
• A simple trick that reduced Diane's screen time by 42% in a week
• Why drinking alcohol before bed doesn't help sleep
• How to know if you're getting enough sleep
• Information about your body's natural circadian rhythms and what to do if you work overnight hours
• How exercise can improve sleep

What You'll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength

Sleep and mental health have a two-way relationship. Getting better sleep can improve mental health, and vice versa. Various strategies can address sleep problems if you're tired during the day. You won't know what works for you until you try. Getting quality sleep can help you feel mentally stronger, making it easier to build even more mental strength.

Quotes From Diane

• "People are walking around severely sleep-deprived, but they think they are doing just fine because, in their minds, they're getting the recommended eight hours of sleep." - Diane Macedo
• "The more time we spend awake and worrying in bed, the more our brain starts to form an association."
• "If your bedtime routine always ends with you awake and frustrated in bed, then those things then become a cue to be awake and frustrated."

More About the Podcast

The Verywell Mind Podcast is available on all streaming platforms. Leave a review on Apple Podcasts if you enjoyed the show. Reviews and ratings encourage others to listen and prioritize their mental health.

Links and Resources

• Check out The Sleep Fix: [Link to Book]
• Follow Diane on Instagram: @DianeMacedo

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