Do you every have those moments where your brain is so simply full that it feels like your thoughts will pour out your ears if you don't stopper them? Yup. That's me.
Most of these thoughts are purely trivial and can wait until tomorrow when sleep is what should be on my mind. But no, they creep in filling up all of the spaces in the corners of my mind and drive sleep out of the window and over the balcony. So, then I try to fill my mind with the meaningless and mind-numbing so that i can try to get my brain to let me drift off to sleep, yet when I get to that brink of slipping into the dream world my 'real' thoughts come tramping back in.
It's not just present worries either. It's things that have happened in the past, things I need to do currently and things that haven't even played role in my life yet and I don't know if they ever will. It brings me to write this post to you if you ever, like me, get stuck in a position where your life keeps up at night. For reasons valid or abnormal.
Tip #1: Meditate
You may think of this as a joke because you don't find meditation as a common occurrence in today's society. I am however Very Serious. If you focus your mind on relaxing the muscles of your body not only will your body relax but your mind will be focused on something other than your present worries. It will be good for your body and mind so that they can both settle down enough to let you sleep.
Tip #2: Keep A Journal
You may think to yourself, "But keeping a diary is for little pre-teen girls that want to doodle their crush's name on the cover". No. When I say journal I mean a book for writing of any kind that you can keep by your bedside. So, push that idea straight from your mind because simply writing a thought down can actually be very therapeutic. Keep a journal by your bed and when you feel bogged down with a thought, WRITE IT DOWN. It eases your mind knowing that it's been put somewhere it won't be forgotten. Most of the time these thoughts that keep us up are things we have to do, and writing them down ensures you won't forget. Even if it is just a worry or pressing thought, writing it down often has the effect of meaning that our brains don't HAVE to actively think about it anymore and then it allows us get to sleep faster.
Tip #3: Music
Music is actually good for getting your mind off of certain things. While some types open up your mind for more thought to come in, the right melody can relax both body and mind. Music has always had the uncanny ability to influence our emotions substantially, so putting on a softer, lighter melody can help to ease any worry that is keeping your mind active. I find that a classical or instrumental with a bit of a happy and/or romantic theme to it is actually the best. A lot of the times sadder music will invite more and unnecessary thoughts. But put on music that you can get lost in, focus on the melody of it and let your mind relax to it.
Tip #4: Read A Book
Again, not a joke. Sometimes all your brain needs is a distraction from your own life long enough to fall asleep. When you read, you become so mentally involved in the characters' lives that you simply can't thin about your own. As you are reading at night your body and mind will already be tired so while keeping your mind off of your own thoughts they can slip into sleep.
Tip #5: Watch A Movie/ TV Episode
For those non-readers out there, watching TV has the same exact effect as a book does on the mind. Pick something that you can easily get involved in but not something that you will be so emotionally invested in, that you feel you have to stay up to finish it. And then simply watch and let your body take care of the rest.
There are the main five tips that have (each one) helped me at some point be able to fall asleep when my brain feels like running a mile. It basically boils down to keeping your body relaxed and finding a release for your brain.
Until next time. Sweet sleeping! Byee!! Zzz
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