What do you do to help you sleep at night when you have a lot on your mind?

Motorsheen

AwesomeSquirrel

It depends a little bit on how bad it is. In a regular day I fall asleep fine and sleep well. Sometimes however, especially if I’m worried about something that happened that day or is on the schedule tomorrow it can be a disaster. Here are some ways I’m working on it:

Pre-bed:
- not eat candy or crisps after 8pm (I generally go to bed around 10pm). I mainly think the sugar here is the trigger for me, but sometimes salty snacks will impact me as well.
- Not use my computer or phone in my bedroom. Reading a book is fine, but I’m working on my bedroom being a screen free zone. One way I do this is to never allow myself to plug in a charger there.
- Use my sunrise alarm clock on the reverse setting to gradually introduce darkness (it also moves through the white -yellow-red spectrum which is supposed to help prepare the body for sleep.

If hard to fall asleep in general:
- get back up, open a window and go in the other room to read a chapter in a book. Then repeat the sunrise reversal thing.
- Play some quiet, soothing music while trying to fall asleep. I like Ludovico Einaudi.
- I have a lavender pillow spray and roll-on aromatherapy to put on wrists

If hard to fall asleep because major stress/I’m upset:
- make a cup of peppermint tea, sip while trying to calm down
- Say out loud what I’m feeling and why
- If possible, decide how to take action in the morning and articulate that verbally
- If action is not possible/already taken care of, articulate that verbally
- If needed, call a friend. I’m lucky to have friends in a different time zone who will be awake.

Reflecting on my response to this thread I’m grateful to realise that it has been a long time since I needed to refer to the third section of my reply

psychod787

I mean I just move all day, so I get some of the best sleep ever. Wearing one's self out can do wonders for sleep.

ChrissyChickie

kindalikevelma wrote: »

Magnesium has been helpful for me when I feel restless. This is what I take.

I have also heard people singing the praises of this stuff.

Mellouk89

I had problematic insomnia when I used to work a job I really hated. When I quit that job and I began to sleep better. It's because I was stressed for the next day.

jmakleanaddo

ChrissyChickie wrote: »

Not to be indecent, but since nobody mentioned this... sex can really help. https://www.sleepscore.com/can-sex-help-you-sleep-better/#:~:text=Sex and Sleep
,to%20fall%20asleep%20more%20easily.

Haha only if this was an option at this point 😅 but thanks for the suggestion

jmakleanaddo

mynameisnobody1990 wrote: »

This on repeat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvmOoSFhhJ4

Now this i found incredibly helpful! Thank you!

Unknown

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PaperDoll_

dmkoenig wrote: »

This is one of the crazier things, but I have had a lot of success with an acupressure mat. Basically it's a pad with a lot of little plastic nails, so it's literally like sleeping on a bed of nails. I find it works really well when my mind is racing and I can't relax. Works best on direct skin. The first 30 seconds it is rather uncomfortable as you might expect, and then I start getting a tingly feeling in my hands and extremities. Then the discomfort goes away and I start to fall into a deep relaxation. It's quite interesting but there are literally thousands of positive reviews with similar stories. Happy sleeping! https://www.amazon.com/Spoonk-Relief-Regular-Acupressure-Pagoda/dp/B00BGWQT2Y

I have one of these, and I love it! Actually think it’s the best thing I’ve ever bought off Amazon.

kindalikevelma

ChrissyChickie wrote: »

kindalikevelma wrote: »

Magnesium has been helpful for me when I feel restless. This is what I take.

I have also heard people singing the praises of this stuff.

I was pretty skeptical about this stuff, but I swear by it now. I’ve tried a combination of other ingestible sleep remedies, but nothing else really does it for me. Aside from THC which knocks me out and leaves me cloudy, so I refrain.

tuckerrj

What works for me is clearing my mind of all thoughts. It's not as easy as it sounds. But repeatedly stopping in mid-thought and staring into the blackness of my shut eyes and concentrating on it. But after a few weeks of practice I can finally focus on, , , nothingness.

_Figgzie_

slow down your breathing. try to do a 5-7 second count breathing in and out. the combination of slowing down your breathing and giving your mind something to do will help you knock out

midlomel1971

I read every night for about 10-15 minutes. It helps turn my brain off.

DeliciousAmbiguity1

I struggle with sleep too. I do find that some kind of back ground noise helps me to relax if not sleep. With does leave me feeling better rested. I like thunder storm recordings.

laura14fit

Reading before bed instead of screen time. Listening to rain sounds in a dark, cooled bedroom. Counting my blessings and praying for all the people in my life. DON'T lie in bed tossing and turning. Make the bed a place for peaceful repose. If all rlse fails, just get up and sit with a small light and a book. Go back to bed as soon as you start to tire even a little. Look at the stars or the moon. Cultivate peace inside yourself, daytime or nighttime. Sleep will come.