Jennifer Aniston, the beloved Hollywood actress known for her role as Rachel Green in the hit television series Friends, has opened up about a deeply personal battle that she has been quietly struggling with for decades. Behind her radiant smile and seemingly effortless charm, Aniston has faced a persistent and exhausting fight against insomnia. This issue, often hidden from the public eye, has significantly impacted her physical health, mental well-being, and daily life over the years.

In a candid interview with People magazine, the actress shared that her difficulties with sleep began much earlier than she initially realized. “I think it started somewhere in my 30s or even earlier,” Aniston confessed. “But you just don’t start to notice the effects of sleep deprivation when we’re younger because we’re so indestructible.” Like many, she initially brushed it aside, viewing it as a minor inconvenience that didn’t warrant serious attention. However, as time passed, the lack of quality sleep began to take a noticeable toll on her life.

The consequences of chronic insomnia slowly became impossible to ignore. “It started as something that I would just accept,” Aniston explained. “And then suddenly I would understand the effects of lack of sleep and how it affects your day and your work and the function of your mind and your physical structure.” Her words reflect the reality that poor sleep doesn’t simply result in feeling tired—it disrupts nearly every aspect of health, from concentration and mood to immune function and physical endurance.

As her sleep problems persisted, Aniston admitted that her attempts to address the issue often made it worse. “And the more I worry about it, the harder it is to fall asleep,” she revealed. This vicious cycle of anxiety around sleep is something that many people who suffer from insomnia can relate to. The harder one tries to force sleep, the more elusive it becomes, leading to growing frustration and even deeper exhaustion.

At its worst, Aniston’s sleep deprivation triggered episodes of sleepwalking. She recounted unsettling experiences where she would unknowingly engage with household appliances in the middle of the night, only realizing what had happened when something woke her up. “I’ve been known to do that,” she said. “I would be woken up by home appliances, which I would then turn off. And I don’t think I do that anymore—there was a time when I was very sleep deprived.” Her experiences highlight just how serious and disruptive chronic sleep issues can be, even leading to behaviors that occur completely outside of one’s conscious awareness.

Beyond the immediate fatigue and mental fog, Aniston emphasized how insomnia disrupts the entire foundation of a healthy lifestyle. “This is true. It used to be the last thing on the list,” she explained. “But you can’t stick to the three pillars of health—diet, exercise, and sleep—if you can’t exercise, and you can’t eat right if you haven’t slept well, because your body clock is completely off.” Her statement underscores a truth that sleep experts have long emphasized: without sufficient rest, it becomes nearly impossible to maintain a balanced diet, a consistent exercise routine, or a stable emotional state.

Recognizing how many others silently suffer with similar issues, Aniston has taken a proactive step by partnering with the Catch the Night and the Day campaign. This initiative is designed to help individuals connect with medical professionals and resources to address their sleep disorders. Her hope is that by speaking openly about her own struggles, she can help reduce the stigma around sleep problems and encourage others to seek help before their health deteriorates further.

Aniston’s openness is not just brave but also deeply impactful in a world where high-achieving individuals are often expected to push through exhaustion without complaint. Her story serves as a powerful reminder that sleep is not a luxury—it is an essential component of overall health. By sharing her own experience, Jennifer Aniston sheds light on an issue that affects millions globally, offering both empathy and hope to those still searching for rest.