Psychologist & Executive Coach David Lui Talks Managing Insomnia
David discusses his struggles with sleep and shares insights from his work with clients who have insomnia, emphasising the importance of the messages we tell ourselves.
In this microcast episode, David Lui discusses his struggles with sleep and shares insights from his work with clients who have insomnia. He emphasises the importance of the messages we tell ourselves and how they can affect our experience of sleeplessness. David suggests reframing negative thoughts and practicing acceptance to reduce suffering. He also recommends engaging in low-arousal activities if unable to sleep and riding the waves of sleeplessness until you are able to fall asleep. Finally, David mentions the value of thinking about substitutes or alternatives to alleviate anxiety about future events.
Takeaways
- The messages we tell ourselves when we can't sleep can greatly impact our experience of sleeplessness.
- Practicing acceptance and reframing negative thoughts can help reduce suffering associated with insomnia.
- Engaging in low-arousal activities and riding the waves of sleeplessness gently can be helpful strategies.
- Thinking about substitutes or alternatives can alleviate anxiety about future events.
Episode Chapters
- 00:00 Introduction and Insomnia
- 00:45 Factors Affecting Sleep
- 01:32 Negative Self-Talk and Insomnia
- 03:36 Strategies for Dealing with Insomnia
- 04:46 Reframing Thoughts and Substitute Thoughts
- 06:26 Different Sleep Patterns
- 07:09 Conclusion
David Lui is a Clinical Psychologist and Executive Coach based in Sydney, Australia. His coaching business is called Daystar Strategies. He's passionate about assisting his clients on their journey toward greater success.
About the Author
Fireside Business Advice
Fireside connects business owners with trusted specialists across strategy, finance, marketing, and beyond — with no lock-in contracts.
Learn more about Fireside →Keep reading
All insights
Podcast
The Story of Brady McCann: From Delivering Pizza to $32k Per Month
21 July 2026 · 8 min read
Podcast
From −$24 to Eight Figures: James Grafton on Building a Business That Works Without You
30 July 2026 · 14 min read
Podcast
The Latest on Self Employed Home Loans — Jason McNamara from Jota Finance
30 June 2026 · 5 min read
Podcast
From Tools to National Success: Two Blue Collar Workers Building Ecommerce Empires
11 May 2026 · 5 min read
Take Action
Want to Work with a Trusted Specialist?
If this kind of thinking resonates with you, Fireside can connect you with pre-qualified professionals who operate at this level. Whether you need strategic advice or want to join our specialist network, we'd like to hear from you.
