How do you relax?

Question

Please, I don't want to hear about anyones sex life.....

I just want to know some relaxation methods that can clear the mind before going to sleep. My mind constantly races and I can only get 1 or 2 hours sleep a night.

Any ideas?

I should add that I have a 2 year old child, so once I have her in bed, the only spare time I have is usually taken up by any houshold chores that I couldn't get to during the day. She is also the reason I no longer smoke weed or take any kind of prescription drugs. I gave up that part of my life as soon as I found out that I was pregnant.

I am also quite large, and have back problems. Getting in an out of the bath is actually quite a painful strain on my back.

Sorry to be so difficult !!!

I have tried most of these methods. none of them work.
As I stated, baths are not an option for me due to back problems.

Massage is something that makes me more tense. I really am not comfortable with massage so it just agrivates me, but thanks anyway...

Tense and release method doesn't work either. My bosy is fully relaxced. My problem is mainly my brain.
I cannot take prescription sleeping aids as I breast feed.

I really appreciate the help though guys and gals. Thanks.

Answer 1

Focus on a simple picture in your mind. Like a blue sky. Just picture a simple picture and focus on that. Dont try to make clouds and add detail in your mind or anything like that. The problem is that you are stressed and your mind doesnt want to turn off. So the best thing to do is tire your mind out. Focus on a simple picture and DONT STRAY from that thought and your mind will get bored and tire itself out. Granted this takes effort and time to do...Just focus on that one picture. If you stray your mind will always have something new to think about so it wont get bored...If yo make very fine detail to your picture your mind will do the same thing and not get bored so try very hard to keep that image. ANother thing that hels is have yuor partner give you a massage before you sleep. Trust me that helps because you are already relaxed befpre you try to sleep.

Answer 2

Give up trying---- just go make a cup of peppermint tea or green tea and a piece of toast use a bit of butter and just sip and dunk a little while watching TV, don't think about going to sleep, tell yourself it's ridiculous and that your not going to play this game with your mind. You will be asleep in 1/2 an hour because you have not played into the self fulfilling anxiety. You quit! Make it a ritual to just make the tea and toast and be comfy and relaxed and not worry that you are going to be all hyped, just give it up, and when you are no longer concerned, the mind will relax and allow the normal cycle of sleep to take over. It Works!

Answer 3

Oh man, I wish I knew. I usually try to take a warm shower before bed. Watch my aquarium for a few minutes, sit in the dark trying to meditate, read, answer questions on Yahoo and msprotege.com. Listen to music, walk around the house.

That's some of the stuff I've tried. Doesn't really help me because I have Delayed Phase Sleep Disorder, but maybe it will give you some ideas.

Oh Dont forget the glass of milk. Milk has small amounts of L-Tryptophan in it.
Sweet dreams

Answer 4

Ok...ur having a hard time sleeping a good way to cure this is to start a workout plan....try running and so on before bed,then a relaxing shower or if you have a hot tub then hot tub after....working out will help relieve stress and help you sleep!


Why use Medecine or drugs to sleep when you could do some physical exercise to remove ur mind from everyday stress then have a relaxing shower/bath and go to bed?

Answer 5

Try reading a book. That always makes me sleepy for some reason. Also, while you're lying in bed, take deep breaths in through your nose and out through your mouth. You'll start breathing deeper, and the extra oxygen you're getting to your brain will sometimes help clear the mind. You can also try aromatherapy, or soft music.

Another thing you might try if you're interested is something I heard about once. It's called the "Tense and Release Method." Start at your head and face, and one by one, clench a muscle and count to ten. (Such as, close your eyes tightly and count to ten, or open your mouth as wide as you can for ten seconds, then close it, etc.) Try very hard to do one muscle at a time, and try to do every muscle in your body. Slowly work your way down to making fists with your hands, tightening your buttocks, and all the way down to curling your toes. Being sure to hit every muscle you can, and holding each one for ten seconds and then "releasing" will drain your body of excess energy and tension. It's a great relaxation tool that my therapist taught me about. It feels great, and it really works!

Answer 6

I usually like to take a hot bubble bath before bed, very relaxing and sometimes I'll read poetry, that helps to put me to sleep. Try reading a book that you find boring. Hopefully these will help. Sweet Dreams.

Answer 7

i shoot things (not living things) to relax

if sleeping is hard for you because your mind races, you may want to try an over-the-counter sleep aid called Simply Sleep. it basically makes it so you cant think straight, and fall asleep. however, personal experience has tought me NOT to take this medicine the night before an exam, for it has lasting effects the next morning. not being tired or lethargic, but being unable to concentrate for a few hours after waking up

addendum::
jaysonlanglois has an excellent point. marijuana provides the best sleep ever.

Answer 8

a) Take a hot bath, lay in comfy warm clothes with soft music in the background.
b) Drink some NyQuil until you fall asleep (not reccomended)
c) Try just taking a day off of work or school and just do something enjoyable.

Answer 9

I work the night shift and used to work tons of overtime, so sleep was extra important, I had real trouble with it, I just gave myself some verbal cues, kind of permission to sleep as long as i needed, it really worked. I also have taken the herbal suppliment, vallerian or velarian root that was helpfull too. good luck

Answer 10

Reading is a good way to relax by freeing your mind and letting you delve into someone else's life even if some of the stories are fiction. Taking a drive is also a good way to relax.