To think my brain could SHUT UP about all the things I'm going to do tomorrow overnight so I can get some sleep and actually be rested enough to do them?

[murmuration]

ARGH! Why does my brain do this to me? Have plenty to get done today, and here I am in the morning at work bleary-eyed because my brain spun through all the things I need to do instead of letting me sleep. And it's not like I was worrying or anything - I've got a fine handle on accomplishing these things in the time I have (assuming I'm not sleep-deprvied!) and nothing is distressing or anything. It's just my brain thinks its a better use of my time to imagine composing emails and planning what order I'm going to do things in, in the middle of the night, instead of letting me sleep.

Does anyone else have this problem? Does anyone have solutions?

I'm really into Yoga Nidra at the moment - it's a specific guided meditation - no yoga poses or movement involved. Lots on YouTube depending on how long you want - I'll try to link to the one I like... sorry I don't know how to do click links. It really calms the mind and prepares for restful sleep.

I write stuff down when it first turns up in my brain, otherwise it'll be important and I'll forget it or it wont be but I'll not be able to stop it. During the day, in bed, whenever
If you can't stop your brain twirling try thinking of an animal (or something, a book title, place etc) for each letter of the alphabet.

Cognitive shuffle! Didn't know it was an actual thing. I thought I invented it

Do you consume caffeine, sugar, nicotine or alcohol?

Write it all down

desperina - barely, yes, no, no. I'm hypersensitive to caffeine. I've worked my way up to being able to have tea socially in the morning, but anytime past noon and I can't get to sleep at night. Does sugar have an impact on sleep?

I tried to cognitivie shuffle last night! It worked! Although I started doing it as soon as I was barely awake, so I don't know if I would have drifted off again anyway. But it was entertaining and I'm happy to have slept the whole night.

murm in my experience it definitely does! I too am horribly sensitive to caffeine so keep it to absolute minimum, and certainly notice the difference when I don't. I find even the caffeine in chocolate has an effect on me. And I find sugar makes me feel terrible in all kinds of ways, including unwanted stimulation! I feel so much calmer and stiller on days when I haven't eaten crap food, basically.

I find sudokus or cryptic crosswords good at bedtime for displacing other thoughts. If I wake in the night, sometimes I can turn off the ratrace thoughts by telling myself, I can't deal with this now, I'll be better bale to do it tomorrow if I sleep. Or some basic meditation - I'm not an expert, but it may be worth trying - not sure how much if at all this overlaps with 'mindfulness', it's essentially watching your thoughts as they arise without engaging in them.

I've had this too for years. Have tried various things including cutting down caffeine, magnesium supplements, etc.

The most effective thing by far has been a 20 minute bedtime yoga routine. You don't have to be bendy at all, it's mostly breathing exercises and doesn't need any equipment so is perfect for beginners. I often do it just before bed, or will get up and do it in the night if I can't sleep. I also apply some This Works Deep Sleep night oil before I do it, for a bit of aromatherapy.

Tried the cognitive shuffle last night, worked brilliantly! Thanks for suggestion, feel like a new person!