How do you fall asleep with the weight of the world on your shoulders?

Question

Its 3am and I can't sleep. It seems if it can go wrong it has gone wrong and my mind just wont let me sleep. Ive tried counting sheep and tried to think good thought and well just about everything else. I know it could be worse don't get me wrong but, how do I turn my mind off....

Answer 1

I had this problem on and off most of my life.
Alcohol does help sometimes.
The real problem is not sleep but your mind.
When I looked at all the issues at once it was overwhelming and I became anxious and excited and thus could not sleep. Then I would think, now I will be all sleepy tomorrow and not be able to do anything and I would get more anxious.
I ended up reading a lot of philosophy. What I gleaned from it was that I had to prioritize and evaluate the importance of obstacles and problems. Is this problem going to ruin everything? Probably not. Let it go. Do I have any control over this issue? No? Why am I worrying about it? Let it go. Whatever is left, write it down in a list. Prioritize the items and list possible solutions under them, even stupid ones, just to get them down and out of your head. For big questions, life changing ones, like college, job changes, career choices, and the like. Try writing down pros and cons, write down emotional pros and cons too. For issues involving others, remember that you come first. You are the only one who will look out for you 100% of the time. Others can give advice but you are the one that lives with your choices. You have the right to make choices that make you happy, and sometimes those choices will make others unhappy. You are not responsible for their emotions.
Hope that helps.
The Tao of Pooh is a good book to read.
Also The way of the Peaceful Warrior (although a bit cheesy) but it is directly related to your problem. The character in it has a mind like a racing locomotive.

Answer 2

My sister drinks ‘Sleepy Time Tea,’ which she says helps. I've learned to meditate, which has really helped me sleep better. But sometimes, during extremely stressful times, I can't. My mind just doesn't want to turn off. During such times, I've learned to do things to distract it. I play classical or soft music that soothes me (not slow music that is sad). I also found that watching certain movies helps me fall asleep--meditation films mostly, but sometimes I watch musicals or Disney’s Fantasia (both of them). Just remember to make sure they are not negative messages because your mind is still active and responds. And never listen to the music you choose while driving, because the mind associates it with sleep.

This is a meditation I sometimes use before bed. It really helps because it is done within a warm bath. I use bath salts, candles, and music. As you relax in the tub, imagine the stress within your body as a negative energy you have control over. Close your eyes and relax. Visualize this negative energy leaving your body and filling the tub. You can see it as anything you want--oil, muck, sludge, or whatever comes into your mind. Tell it to leave your body. When you feel ready, open the drain and return to meditating. As the water recedes, feel the negativity leave your body. At this point, you will actually feel the energy releasing from your body. It is a wonderful sensation.

When I did it too often, I felt drained and listless. I realized I needed to replace the energy with positive energy to replenish myself. Imagine the light coming from God (if you are an atheist, from the universe). Surround yourself with white light and absorb it as if you were a sponge. If you see a color, draw that in. Your body will tell you what you need. This may or may not be for you. Everyone’s different, so I hope something here helps. I know how it feels to not be able to sleep. Good Luck and God Bless!

Answer 3

I would get a journal and write down what is bothering you and your worries that is what i do, It seems to work for me. Try and think about the good things that happened that day or week that may help. And maybe a sleeping pill every now and then but be careful if you are taking anything else.

Answer 4

Here's a trick I came up with years ago (it was because I would think about work all night, and not the weight of the whole world, but maybe it will work anyways!)
Somehow I decided to make all of my decisions (and plan out my day, etc) in the shower in the morning. It took me a few days to get into the habit, but once I was, it worked!
Pick a time tomorrow morning to do your worrying, and then see if your mind will let you sleep tonight!

Answer 5

I am a lot like you - things that help me sleep
lavender (smell, don't eat)
melatonin - make sure it is ok with your doctor
exercise daily
eliminate caffeine
reduce late night eating, computer/tv use.
stretching/relaxing exercises before bedtime.

but you may still have nights when you can't turn it off. that's ok - if you can sleep in the daytime - sleep when you can get sleep. Dont' worry about what people say.

Answer 6

im still learning this...after countless sleeping pills. But some of us worry too much bout what may happen...tink bout what is happening that day.take the rest as they come.Its gona take awhile but breathe and relax

Answer 7

Learn to breathe. I was told this by an old tribal person... he said we don't know how to breathe. We should concentrate on our breathing. Also, he told be to relax... by tensing all my muscles.. you start from your little toe and working all the way through your body.. then release them one by one until your muscles are perfectly relaxed... while breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.

Answer 8

ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS TO REMOVE THE WEIGHT FROM YOUR SHOULDERS.

Forget everything and just watch your breath. Go in , And GO OUT.

By trying too hard your are just concentrating on being awake!!!

Answer 9

~I have two suggestions...
1. Pretend that you're asleep, breathe like you're asleep.
2. Give all your problems to Jesus. If you don't know him, get to know him.
Worrying about your problems won't make them go away, so try not to.~

Answer 10

when u close yr eyes, think of things that will make you happy, visualize - relationship, financial, work, success, and the feeling that it gives you - joy, selfesteem, freedom....

just when u think u can go on dreaming of these things, u will find yrself already sleeping