How do you stop thinking

[Racmactac]

I have so much going on and I'm very stressed out but it's effecting my sleep and the lack of sleep causes me even more anxiety. It's a vicious circle.

Even during the day I can't stop the same things whizzing around and around in my head.

I fall asleep fine but wake at 4 am and then toss and turn until I get up at 7.

How do I get these things out of my head?

Sorry to hear you’re suffering.

Have you been to the doctors or spoken to anyone to help?

Look up the serenity prayer. Although it probably won’t help you get back to sleep it’s a great thing to distract your thoughts

Thoughts are like bubbles floating down a river. They appear, they disappear, popping up here and there for a short time.

Imagine you're on a bridge over the river. You're leaning on the bridge watching the water flow by gently, the bubbles appearing and disappearing.

When I get stressed out the river can look fizzy with the number of bubbles! But I know that it's the same river, the water is constantly flowing and it will quieten down. I'm still standing on the bridge looking at the water flowing by.

Try a guided meditation, loads free on YouTube. It's not about trying to stop the thoughts, it's about bringing the focus of your attention into the present moment, observing the thoughts as they pass through your mind.

Maybe try writing the thoughts down in a journal, have a good look at them dispassionately once they are out of your head (as if someone else had told them to you) - may help get them into proportion and help you let go of them a bit?

Not knowing the nature of your thoughts this might sound a bit flippant but are they worries you can exaggerate to the point of absurdity (like imagine a comedy film in your head of your worst fears) and then laugh at? Might not be appropriate of course.

Just thinking of ways to cut the thoughts down to size, they don't deserve to have such a hold on you!

I have been given antidepressants and referred to counselling.

My concerns are that my partner who I have split up with has turned very nasty and making threats to contact the father of my children (who I have a terrible relationship with) and tell him I'm mentally ill and he should take children away from me unless I give him money.

My exp was already threatening to take me back to court re the children anyway. He doesn't need any ammunition.

I am changing employment.

A friend has betrayed me and she has also made threats against me.

I have no family nearby and very few friends.

So these are all big worries unfortunately.

I just can't switch off my
Mind.