Hi Polly,

Welcome to the forum, though sorry for the reason you find yourself here. 

So many of us can relate to what you're experiencing now - the daily distractions help us to appear 'outwardly normal' but as soon as we head off to bed, the mind starts racing! 

A couple of strategies I've found to be helpful are listening to the radio (very low volume, and 'concentrate' on the song lyrics!) though this may not be practical if you have a partner sharing your room, so I've also loaded my MP3 with mellow tunes to listen to through headphones. 

Also, if my head has been full of thoughts and questions, I've actually got up and written down what's in my head or made lists of questions, and somehow, this has quietened my racing mind. 

I also use breathing techniques I learned in some hypnotherapy sessions I recently had - similar to yoga breathing techniques - it's the concentration on the counting and being aware of my breathing that  helps distract my chaotic mind! 

Hopefully, Someone else will be along soon to offer their suggestions for how to cope with this common problem. 

Take care and do let us know how you're getting on, sending a hug, Jo xx

Hi Polly,

Welcome to the forum.

I think you'll find many of us have difficulty getting to sleep for exactly the same reasons, I've often found there's a flurry of messages on here around, or just after, midnight.

I find that reading often helps, especially something with lots of plot twists like Smiley's People or very long and complex like the Game of Thrones series gives my mind something else to distract it and I nod off after half an hour or so.

Good luck!
Dave

Hi

River56 posted a really good idea. When you go to bed start to construct a story, when you wake up in the night add some more to it. The following night carry on with the story adding more.

Dont drink coffee or tea after teatime the caffeine will keep you from sleeping.

If you can listen to MP3 tunes check out Yoga Nidra recordings they can be very relaxing a few I have never got to the end before nodding off. I cant post my favourites here because of copyright concerns but there are some available for free here www.yoganidranetwork.org/downloads.

Meerkat and Dave have posted good suggestions too. Alcohol and drugs are not a very good solution as they dont give you "proper" sleep and you can end up depending on them to nod off. Kim