What To Do When You Can't Sleep Because You Are Thinking Too Much?

[Disneymaddness]

I listen to music on my ipod. Usually Disney music!

 

[suejai]

Also no caffeine, especially in the evening. Some people like herbal tea to calm them, or a hot bath before bed. Try to get in some exercise everyday, it really does help you sleep better.

I was going to suggest the herbal tea, especially chamomile.

I also used to think a lot when I went to bed and used to get annoyed at DH because he could just drop off to sleep no matter what was going on in our lives. He suggested just picturing the something similar to space with just stars whizzing by like in Star Trek. Or just making a conscious effort to picture nothing.

I also found that I was clenching the muscles around my neck and head and that if I could make those relax I could fall asleep.

Another thing that sometimes helps if I keep thinking about one problem in particular is to run through the problem and make a plan of action for the next day and that way I give myself permission to let it go for the moment. Either that or keep telling myself there is nothing that can be done to solve it right now at 2am but that I will re-evaluate in the morning when I am fresh, and thereby give permission to let it go.

 

[trekkie2]

This is really sad, but I have this trouble all the time. What I do is think about shopping at walmart (the worst task ever!) I imagine getting my cart and visualize myself walking through the store selecting my things, puts me our everytime. good luck!!

 

[Tinker'n'Fun]

I use two different types of sleep aids...

First one is to start at your toes and say good night to your body parts. Keep going back after each body part to your toes. Ex:

Good Night toes...
Good night heel, good night toes...
Good night arch, good night heel, good night toes...

If you get to the end your brain is pretty much done...

Or I just keep telling myself that all I see is a blank canvas... all I see is a blank canvas, over and over again...

 

[SDFgirl]

I heard a trick once, and it works EVERY TIME for me. (Something about it utilizing both the left and right sides of your brain...).

Anyway. Pick a category like Movies, Towns, 4-syllable words, Movie Stars...anything. Now go through the alphabet, thinking of words that fit in the categories.

For example - movies...

A - About a Boy
B - Bad News Bears
C - Casino Royale
D - Deep Impact
E - Encino Man

etc, etc.....

I usually only make it halfway through the alphabet before I drift off. Good luck!

Some categories I use are: Foreign Countries/Cities, Foods, Brand Names, Fictional Characters, Songs, Places I've Been, Books...

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

For one thing, once you've laid there for a while, you need a change in scenery. Sometimes if I'm still awake after an hour or so I get up and go into the living room to read for an hour or watch something on TV. That will take my mind off whatever is keeping me from sleeping. I rarely drink coffee but once in a while I drink it at a special occasion and I'm usually sorry that evening. If I'm just not tired I get up for a while, then try again. Sometimes I'm tired but I start thinking about something, then can't distract myself on my own, so the change in scenery helps. I actually read about this somewhere and thought it was a crock, but it really does work. They also said don't watch TV or read in bed before going to sleep, and that has also helped me. Good luck!

 

[monkeybug]

I just put anything on the TV that my husband has on the DVR, guaranteed sleep about 10 minutes in. How It's Made is my go to show for those nights my mind is really stirring.

 

[LizabethSwan]

I have a small radio that I keep next to the bed that has earbuds so it won't disturb DH. I tune the radio to a talk show that is usually boring, but it keeps my attention enough to take my mind away from my troubles. Before I know it I am ready to sleep.

 

[teskak]

I agree with the ipod. Download some talking shows that are interesting but not totally. I tend to use CNN news as they have the downloads every hour. Put the ear buds in and have the volume as low as you can manage. The noise is just enough to keep out the busy thoughts until you are asleep

 

[AmericangirlinFrance]

Good hard exercise during the day helps me a lot. Not too close to bedtime, though. If I am physically tired, it is easier for my mind to shut off.

I have the same problems with falling asleep.

 

[ajk912]

Turn the tv on to something only mildly interesting. It will catch your attention enough to turn off the thought loop in your mind, but not enough to keep you awake.

This is what I do, as well. Or, I walk downstairs, get a glass of water, and come online for a few minutes. I know they say that's bad, but it works for me.

 

[sunlver]

I tend to have this problem as well, but not upon trying to fall asleep. I can normally fall asleep within minutes..but then somewhere in the middle of the night(Like 3am or so)I wake up and feel fully awake and my mind starts racing, of all those stressing thoughts..I readjust myself get comfortable, but all those thoughts cant turn my mind off to sleep. WhatI do is I think about tv shows.. For example, I love "ALL MY CHILDREN",have been watching for over 30 years.. I think about the latest plot in Pinevalley, what their houses look like etc..sometimes I have to think about the latest LIFETIME movie I saw(now those people always have big problems),and I go through the whole movie in my head as if I were telling it to somebody. I know crazy things, but the majority of the time it really helps..If those things dont help, I go downstairs on the computer and play some mindless games until my eyes are burning..normally after that sleep comes quickly.

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

The other thing is a white noise machine. DH is a light sleeper and used to wake up frequently. Once we got a machine, he sleeps much better because he doesn't hear the ambient noise. I am a night person and NOT a morning person. I need help getting up. Once I fall asleep I'm good and I can't wake up. The noise KNOCKS me out! If DH leaves it on in the am when he gets up I literally can't get up. He used to leave it on to help me sleep. I had to explain that I have no problem sleeping in the am, what I need help with is waking up, so please turn it off! When he first got it, it kept me up but not anymore. It actually freaks me out that it knocks me out so much. I'm a little afraid I won't hear a burglar or if the kids need something but they aren't babies any more and if there is a real noise DH will still wake up.

 

[foodlover_US]

Try developing a relaxing routine for going to bed. You might find it helpful to watch TV or read a book or do something else that you enjoy and find relaxing for an hour or so before you go to sleep.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

I wish I knew of a solution myself. I have been like that for as long as I can remember. I am a terrible sleeper and my mind is always going a million miles a minute. Rarely can I truly relax and sleep well. Sorry I have no advice but I do understand.