Is there anything that will help me stop thinking while I'm trying to get to sleep?

Question

Sometimes so many thoughts go through my head, I can't fall asleep! What can I do to help me stop thinking so much?

Answer 1

Lunesta was made just for that, it works great!

Answer 2

I cannot stop thinking either. So, I try to guide my thoughts into something so imaginative or something so boring that I cannot help but fall asleep. ... It is hard. And I often catch myself getting off-track and going back to obsessing over work or my family. But I eventually do fall asleep. Sometimes I will count the ticks of a second hand on a clock or of my ceiling fan. Sometimes I will imagine that I got hurt or sick and fell asleep in an alley near some trash cans. I lay there unconscious as I imagine somebody coming to my rescue. As I drift off to sleep, I may dream an adventure with the person who rescued me. Exploring and doing research to cure the illness or hunting down and capturing the bad guy. Sometimes being still just doesn't work, so I will pretend like I am running or swimming really far. I keep my legs moving, which initially re-energizes me. But after a while it gets boring and tiring until I just fall asleep - usually within an hour.

Answer 3

I know EXACTLY what you mean... For some reason, this works for me; Mentally, concentrate on a single, ordinary topic, and work out the details (Make it something involved, like the War in Iraq, the reasons why each of the so & so's should be President, -etc). By "ordering" your thoughts in this way- you'll tend to relax, take your mind off of other things- & possibly, fall asleep doing it. Give it a try- & good night! :)

Answer 4

Have bio-feedback. Put a star close to you and close your eyes. Watch the star slowly move up to heaven. Watch it go slower and slower. When that one is too high to see, put another star in your mind and repeat. Concentrate on the star. I close my eyes and feel the presence of the heavenly beings that are in my home. I picture heaven and the beautiful sites there. Spiritual hymns play softly in my mind. Picture an elevator going down. The 10th floor has nothing on it, the 9th has a couple of beautiful items, the 8th floor has a few more wondrous sites. The elevator slowly moves down and the slower it moves the more beauty is seen on the next floor. When you reach the bottom floor, you walk slowly out of the elevator and look at every piece of beauty you see. Need more ideas? Ok, I have sleep disorders and have given you therapy. That will be $200 please.

Answer 5

Actually running aroung the block a few times during the day will get your muscles so relaxed by the time you go to sleep, you will fall asleep shortly after you head hits the pillow!

Answer 6

There are several things you can try.
1. try not naping if you do
2. journaling before you goto bed can help some people
3. reading before you goto sleep helps some people as well.

I have been having some problems sleeping recently. After a nice vacation it sort of stoped. I would have so many thoughts going through my head (and mostly self defeating ones, so it would get quite depressing as well as frustrating), but I've been having and easier time sleeping since the vacation.

Answer 7

I don't really know if there is anything that can help but medication. My mom and I have that exact problem. I know that if you stimulate your mind before you sleep by watching tv, being on the computer, anything that it'll probably keep you up. So if you do anything like that, try to stop. My mom and I were talking about this problem and she was telling me that she tries to think of a black dot. I think of a blank piece of paper. I know that sounds dumb but MAYBE that'll help. Sorry I can't really help. Hopefully you'll find something that'll work.

Answer 8

i no the feeling.. i have sleep troubles myself.. when i have a lot on my mind and no im going to bed thinking about it i write it down or just type thoughts into my phone so its out of my head.. also i take some natural herb thingys called Valerian Forte i get 'em from the chemist in the natural section.. if that doesnt help good luck with the counting sheep.. somtimes i try countin backwards from 100 sychronizing with my breathes.. if u stuff up u start at 100 again!!

Answer 9

Meditating helps for some people, I do that most of the time. Just concentrate on one thing (eg. your breathing) and don't think about anything or let anything else distract you and you'll slowly fall asleep. Avoid napping in the day too.

Answer 10

Its called a racy mind at night and it will affect sleep you could have a sleep disorder and I would go to a sleep dr. and get tested for sleep apnia or any other sleep disorder. I have a sleep disorder and I have to be on meds the rest of my life because of it, I have a racy mind at night because I was sexually assaulted at night in my bed and this is why I have it, it may be a disorder and you need a dr. to find out what to do for you. Take care Heather

Answer 11

Same problem here. I take 2 Benadryls about an hour before bed time. It takes the edge off enough that I can fall asleep. Benadryl is safe and inexpensive and you can buy it anywhere.