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Original poster

How do you switch off at night if you're an overthinker?

120 replies

Imatorturedpoet · 27/10/2024 21:49

I struggle to sleep at the best of times, I find it very difficult to switch off. I've tried counting, audio books, reading, meditation, various apps, relaxation exercises, rain and wave sounds etc etc.

Any other suggestions that work for you? I've had a rubbish day today and really don't want to replay everything in my head all night.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 18:52

Sophdiamond143 · 29/10/2024 16:49

Hope you don't think that was a criticism. I didn't realise you'd already tried various therapy. I was only coming at it from my own experience as someone who had tried most things to sleep as I was a terrible obsessive thinker, the only thing that helped longterm and wasn't just a sticking plaster was working out why my brain was reacting a certain way and catastrophising or obsessing over certain things, and for me CBT helped me untangle all the bad wiring and bad thinking, and got me to a point where I could look at it objectively and not be stuck in my own muddled head, that's not to downplay suggestions that might temporarily help, but I wanted a fix that would be a long term fix. Before that I got into a habit of drinking every evening which caused other problems, but at the time I was so sleep deprived it seemed like a good idea.

No not at all 😊 I'm grateful for everyone who comments. I probably could look at CBT again tbh. I just found the last lot I had not very helpful, as they concentrated on coping with anxiety, not the over thinking.

OP posts:
MyOtherProfile · 29/10/2024 20:13

Itabsolutelyispossible · 27/10/2024 23:03

Piranesi audiobook. It is dreamlike.

I had to Google this. It looks really intriguing.

MyOtherProfile · 29/10/2024 20:18

Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 12:29

Thank you for your reply. I have had lots of therapy and CBT. Unfortunately I'm just an over thinker, I've worked through problems in therapy, but as soon as something becomes difficult I can't get it out of my head. So in order to get some sleep, which makes things easier the following day, these tips really help.

Last night I listened to Sam talking about Scottish islands which was quite soothing. It is helping so thanks for all the suggestions.

Show quote history

I've looked back through this thread twice and can't find a podcast by Sam that you're referring to. Can you repeat it please?

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Sleep
adultingforever · 29/10/2024 20:22

I have not read every single suggestion, so apologies if this has been suggested previously. For me, it really helps to write down what I am thinking about, and then it is out of my head and I know I can come back to it later. Somehow, it does help!

JosieRay · 29/10/2024 21:33

I listen to Gardeners Corner on BBC Sounds. It comes from Ulster and David Maxwells lovely voice sends me off to sleep. The only problem is that I never get to hear the show! I’m weeks behind now.

Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 22:16

MyOtherProfile · 29/10/2024 20:18

I've looked back through this thread twice and can't find a podcast by Sam that you're referring to. Can you repeat it please?

Show quote history

I've just read through the whole thread again to find it and can't 😂 I must have come across it elsewhere 🤷‍♀️ If you have Spotify it's Snooze with Sam here open.spotify.com/show/2CyKHH5JfLNpJ1wWL77Ono?si=A9TSfbWjRe2SNjG0u6tYLA

You have to pay for some, but there are free ones. I find his voice very soothing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 22:16

adultingforever · 29/10/2024 20:22

I have not read every single suggestion, so apologies if this has been suggested previously. For me, it really helps to write down what I am thinking about, and then it is out of my head and I know I can come back to it later. Somehow, it does help!

I used to do this, must start doing it again!

OP posts:
Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 22:18

Has anyone tried the Kind sleep patches? I think that's what they're called .. keep seeing them advertised on insta.

OP posts:
soundsys · 29/10/2024 22:19

Melatonin

CooksDryMeasure · 29/10/2024 22:19

I’ve not read the responses so apologies if this has been mentioned, but phernagan.

fraya123 · 29/10/2024 22:21

I listen to the mindset mentor podcast. He talked about this once and advised you are supposed to say 'brain stop now' if you get up to go to loo and your brain 'switches on' and you start thinking stuff etc 'brain stop now'

Whyherewego · 29/10/2024 22:21

Have you tried my sleep button? I find that or the shipping forecast works. I really concentrate on the words

ThePoshUns · 29/10/2024 22:21

I find exercise helps. I try to walk most evenings with an audiobook or podcast.
I find if I'm physically tired it's easier to fall asleep

itisafuckinggoat · 29/10/2024 22:21

Reading sends me to sleep….but then when I stop reading because I’m falling asleep…I’m wide awake? Anyone else?

Autumnweddingguest · 29/10/2024 22:22

NunyaBeeswax · 27/10/2024 22:04

Turn off the light.
Take a deep breath and relax.

In your mind, picture yourself somewhere.
A field, a town, a city, a mountain.
Now.. where are you going to go?
Who are you going to meet?

Invent a new town, a perfect town, with people and places.

Imagine you own a cafe and the customers come in to have coffee and a chat, who are they?
It's your world, they could be anyone.

If you're strolling along a cliff Edge, what can you see? Are there boats in the ocean? Distant tolls of bells from the buoys? Sea birds swooping?

Picture them in your minds eye, describe them with your inner.voice. have conversations with people you're imagining. What accents do they have? Where are they from?

You could create a different world every night or have one perpetual world with characters that come to life the moment you close your eyes.

I think I want to be you! Grin And I'm not even an over-thinker. I love the idea of inventing a town and perfect people in it.

MyOtherProfile · 29/10/2024 22:40

Imatorturedpoet · 29/10/2024 22:16

I've just read through the whole thread again to find it and can't 😂 I must have come across it elsewhere 🤷‍♀️ If you have Spotify it's Snooze with Sam here open.spotify.com/show/2CyKHH5JfLNpJ1wWL77Ono?si=A9TSfbWjRe2SNjG0u6tYLA

You have to pay for some, but there are free ones. I find his voice very soothing.

Show quote history

That's so funny! I thought I was being particularly dense. Thanks, I'll have a look.

Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 30/10/2024 19:12

itisafuckinggoat · 29/10/2024 22:21

Reading sends me to sleep….but then when I stop reading because I’m falling asleep…I’m wide awake? Anyone else?

Me too! Very frustrating.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 30/10/2024 19:14

Autumnweddingguest · 29/10/2024 22:22

I think I want to be you! Grin And I'm not even an over-thinker. I love the idea of inventing a town and perfect people in it.

Show quote history

I don't think I have any imagination, I can never do this. I try to imagine what I'd do if I won the lottery, but that's about all I can imagine really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Imatorturedpoet · 30/10/2024 19:15

Whyherewego · 29/10/2024 22:21

Have you tried my sleep button? I find that or the shipping forecast works. I really concentrate on the words

Is this a podcast?

OP posts:
Standin · 30/10/2024 19:17

A podcast, gardening ones are always quite gentle and enough to keep me listening. I set the timer on the iPad so that it turns off at the end.

Failing that my partner talking history…asleep in minutes. 😂😴

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