How often do you struggle to fall asleep because you can't stop overthinking?

Question

What helps you when it happens?

sage2021 · Answer

I haven't had that problem because I wait until I am very tired and then go to bed.

NathanDavis · Answer

I did struggle big time with that for about a decade... (age 6 to 16) and pretty much nothing that it is suggested worked, and I mean NOTHING, because I tried everything...

and my brain just doesn't shut up... lol

what started to work for me (besides the fact that during my late teens... my brain did adjust on its own a bit as I was growing up too) is to just give up on the idea of FALLING ASLEEP... the more I wanted to just fall asleep, the more I would overthink about THAT and the worse it would be for me, so... I just focused on a different goal

my goal and my mindset every night was TO REST and this meant, to move as less as possible, to relax as much as possible and also... instead of overthinking about a million things... I would try my very best to focus on just ONE thing... because you know it is impossible to "clear your mind" screw that, lol

so, eventually... this started to work for me, every night... I would get as comfortable as I could, everything from light, noise, pillows, covers, sheets... the more comfortable the better and then, I'd just relax and I tell made up stories to myself... sing to myself in my head... instead of counting sheeps I would do memorizing exercises (memory palace... worked very well for me) and in my particular case... I had to remind myself often to go back to these "exercises" and not overthink about whatever million other things, lol

it took some months... but this still works for me very well, I don't go to sleep... I go to rest, lol

now... something else that might sound cheesy but it surely made things so much better lmfao... when I had a girlfriend in high-school... I would just think about her, I would go through our day that day... memories from previous days, or whatever plan we had... I'd focus on that, I probably felt asleep smiling like a dumbass, many times, lol

but yeah... going to REST and RELAX, never to sleep... managed to make me sleep better

Friendlybro79 · Answer

Very frequently. This has been an issue for me since I was 10. My mind works at night. It doesn't have to be about stress but I wonder a lot, have ideas that keep popping into my head, and at times I'll hear music like a symphony. I am not able to play an instrument and can't write music so it is really interesting when it happens. I went to the doctor the first time it happened, and they did tests to make sure I was ok. They diagnosed it with hypnagogic hallucination.

Thankfully it's benign and actually knowing it is benign kind of makes it fun when it happens because I'm totally conscious when it happens but I can't move. I also rarely (maybe once every few years) experience sleep paralysis which can be scary.

The hypnagogic hallucinations are pleasant and calming to me because it's beautiful music that I'm producing somehow in my head. Sleep paralysis feels like i'm being held down and no matter how hard I try, I can't move.

It also feels like something is doing it to me. I can only describe it as it feels supernatural and something is threatening me. The first time I experienced this I was in my early 20s and I was terrified. I thought I was hearing whispering in my room like someone was in the room with me. I remember my brain immediately saying, "oh shit. I'm going to be fucking abducted by aliens."

If you knew me you'd know I'm not a whacko or crazy at all so this made me think the worst. It's aliens. It's a tumor, It's a demon. I was so glad the Dr. helped explained what happened to me. That said I was so shook by the sleep paralysis that I was able to kick out of it literally. I thought I was under some kind of attack so I literally with all my might threw my body upward out of the bed and I fell out. I snapped out of it, the whispering went away, but my heart was racing. I literally slept with my lights on that night ha. So when it happens now, which is rarely, I don't panic, but it's still scary. It really feels like a invisible being is doing it to you. Aren't you glad you asked hahaha.

lightbulb27 · Answer

don't have that so much anymore because less stress and pressure, thank wife and God!

I hope it doesn't come back, won't be able to handle it.

When I did have it, I'd write stuff down on tablet so it's out of my head. That helped a lot. Otherwise, practice good disciplines like focusing on prayer, thanks, gratitude, forgiveness. That brings peace... there's a few other things written that do as well. It works.

If you are locked in torment, that is hell and it's good to leave hell. You didn't create it, it isn't yours, you didn't ask for it... but was handed to you. So.. hand it back and get rid of it, because it's wasting your life.

TonyMetal___1986 · Answer

Try to relax and make up beautiful dreams, feeling like the bed is swallowing me, than slowly trying to sleep deeper and deeper...

Since we are talking about overcoming insomnia, how about you take a look ane what made someone really up all night, even though you're a little girl, you were born in the digital age but might still understand how it felt in such situations...

Were you told spooky stories back when you were a little kid?

Static_In_The_Attic · Answer

At the end of each & every day you have to unwind in your own way.

As for me I don’t struggle to fall asleep however I seem to struggle to get out of bed.

As for overthinking I don’t think I have the required equipment for that one.

An hour or two before bed put away your screens, dim the lights & just relax.

Joshydavid25 · Answer

It doesn't happen often, but it does happen enough.. Especially when I know I have to get up in a few hours, my brain and body just won't shut down..

Sevenpointfive · Answer

i close my eyes halfway and scroll. eventually your lids get heavier and i think that triggers my sleep. i fall asleep with my phone and arm in the air lol. so i wake up quickly set it down and fall asleep.

ohsheeT · Answer

It happens just about every night  Lot of times I come gag or youtube I'll look for somebody to chat with or I'll play a game or I just start looking up information

OneViewpoint · Answer

Very rarely. But then, I only sleep about 4 hours per night. I can't shut my brain off. I don't sleep until I crash. But when I do sleep there is no struggle.

Nikki1989 · Answer

I have been living with insomnia for about 25 years, but it has nothing to do with overthinking.

Dancer102 · Answer

It happens almost every day!! What helps is yoga and meditation and some melatonin

NoDecision · Answer

Or how many times in school did you stop thinking because you fell asleep in class?

ChicoFromThe305 · Answer

Just watch videos on your phone with low brightness, eventually you'll feel tired and sleep

exitseven · Answer

It happens a few times a month. I usually just lie there and try to think about driving to some other place.

Interstate · Answer

I have ADHD and anxiety, so struggling to fall asleep comes with the territory.

Agape93 · Answer

All the time. So that's partially why I drink so much

MrChinaski · Answer

Rarely. Only before exams and other stressful events.

FrodoSkywalker007 · Answer

Fairly often. Though currently my sleep schedule is screwed up due to my health 🤷‍♂️

AngryCarl3 · Answer

I often struggle to fall asleep but not because of overthinking. My circadian rhythm is shot.

DarKnight36 · Answer

Read a book, and anyway, once your eyes get tired, you automatically pass out 😂

Ironco · Answer

Just put on C-SPAN, you'll be out cold in no time.

Kingofkings1992 · Answer

Never. I always take a sleep aid pill, and I am out for the count 😴

Paige2006 · Answer

Once or twice a month

LiamS95 · Answer

Not often but it does happen periodically.

AgentG111 · Answer

Not as much now that I retired.

msc545 · Answer

Far too often.

shortster · Answer

Most nights

How often do you struggle to fall asleep because you can't stop overthinking?

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How often do you struggle to fall asleep because you can't stop overthinking?

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