One thing that helps me fall back to sleep if I wake up with anxiety or racing thoughts is to pray. Either saying The Lords Prayer over & over and really focusing on the meaning of the words or praying for specific people and specific things for those people. Works EVERY time!
What helps me sleep: no screens in the sleeping area at all, and don't look at them from afternoon on. Going through my body, internal and external, and saying "My heart is healthy. My mind is healthy. My pancreas is healthy." And so on. Asking my husband to hold me (as he always does anyway but at the 3AM waking too.) Asking the Ancestors to hold me. "Mom, you carried me inside you. Comfort me now." As Pema Chodron says about the thoughts, "Label it (gently) thinking." I put my worries in my worm bin where stinky veg and fruit turn to brown gold. "Let my thoughts compost and turn to gold to fertilize growing things."
Excellent article! The one thing that has really improved my sleep is Collagen powder. I was inspired to try it after reading a post by Varianavolk on Substack. It worked!
I especially loved “Write a short “Tomorrow List” — just a few items, enough to get them out of your head and onto paper. Add three things that went well today, or three moments you felt grateful for. Once something is written down, your brain doesn’t need to keep rehearsing it.”
For me, the 4-7-8 breathing technique and Mindful Moment guided meditations are very helpful.
Love this! So maybe you should try an audio meditation at night...from what I remember, you can try the Calm app for free, see if that's working for you!
One thing that helps me fall back to sleep if I wake up with anxiety or racing thoughts is to pray. Either saying The Lords Prayer over & over and really focusing on the meaning of the words or praying for specific people and specific things for those people. Works EVERY time!
Great information here. Well written and not overly scientific. Well done!
So many great suggestions to put into practice - thank you!
Thank you for reading it!
Terrific post, thx!
A. Warm chocolate drink in the evening gives me a warm cosy feeling that helps me sleep better.
What helps me sleep: no screens in the sleeping area at all, and don't look at them from afternoon on. Going through my body, internal and external, and saying "My heart is healthy. My mind is healthy. My pancreas is healthy." And so on. Asking my husband to hold me (as he always does anyway but at the 3AM waking too.) Asking the Ancestors to hold me. "Mom, you carried me inside you. Comfort me now." As Pema Chodron says about the thoughts, "Label it (gently) thinking." I put my worries in my worm bin where stinky veg and fruit turn to brown gold. "Let my thoughts compost and turn to gold to fertilize growing things."
Excellent article! The one thing that has really improved my sleep is Collagen powder. I was inspired to try it after reading a post by Varianavolk on Substack. It worked!
Thank you! And thanks for sharing what worked for you!
One thing that helps me is 15 minutes of Stephen Fry reading the complete works of Sherlock Holmes on Audible.
I set the volume quite low so I can just hear it and quells my overactive mind.
Love that idea — keeping the volume low so you can just catch the words is such a good trick for quieting a busy mind. Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you again for another excellent guide.
I especially loved “Write a short “Tomorrow List” — just a few items, enough to get them out of your head and onto paper. Add three things that went well today, or three moments you felt grateful for. Once something is written down, your brain doesn’t need to keep rehearsing it.”
For me, the 4-7-8 breathing technique and Mindful Moment guided meditations are very helpful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1UC2K-7gRxI "Rest in Gratitude: Yoga Nidra for Deep Healing Sleep Nurturing"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tib4XFuyXpA "Sleep Meditation for Replenishment - Yoga Nidra NSDR"
With gratitude
Pham
Thank you Pham- I appreciate the resources shared!
Insomnia sucks.
Yep, insomnia really sucks…
Just listening to this made me yawn and feel sleepy - thanks!
Ha ha, not sure if this was a compliment or not :) I’m glad it worked!
Definitely a compliment! I slept through the whole night last night! It feels like a miracle!!!
Love this! So maybe you should try an audio meditation at night...from what I remember, you can try the Calm app for free, see if that's working for you!