Dr. Shelby Harris: The Truth About Insomnia, Why Effort Kills Sleep, and What CBT-I Actually Does

What if the biggest thing keeping you awake is how hard you're trying to fall asleep? In this episode of the Emotional Longevity Podcast, Dr. Elisha Goldstein welcomes leading behavioral sleep medicine specialist Dr. Shelby Harris to unpack why our obsession with perfect sleep often creates the very insomnia we're trying to escape. Together they explore the science behind insomnia, why anxiety and sleep become trapped in a self-reinforcing cycle, and how Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia (CBT-I) helps people regain healthy sleep without relying solely on medication. From sleep hygiene myths to mindfulness, nightmares, sleep trackers, and the surprising importance of letting go of control, this conversation offers practical, research-backed strategies that can help anyone build a healthier relationship with sleep.