Replace Thoughts with Sleep

I’ve struggled with insomnia since my college days. Its severity ebbs and flows, but I can point to a few times when it’s been especially bad.

Sometimes, I’m kept awake by specific issues. Something is so prominent in my life, or at least in my mind, that I can’t let go of it enough to rest. I just keep turning it over again and again, examining it from different angles, or just the same one on repeat.

At other times there is no presenting issue. As I like to say, my brain just won’t shut up. No one thing is at the forefront, I just cycle through whatever pops into my head and it takes me hours to quiet down.

Lately, I’ve been trying to take these moments head on. One tactic that has brought me some success is going over all that was positive from the day’s experiences. I focus on what brought me happiness or peace. When I think I’ve completed the list from the day that was, I may look toward the day to come and do something similar, listing what I’m most looking forward to. This is an ongoing gift of my word for 2024, Joy.

I also have been focusing on my body. I identify where I’ve tensed up, even while lying in bed, and make it a point to relax those muscles. I practice slow, deep breathing. I sink into the mattress and pillow and blankets as best I can. This helps my mind relax as well.

These actions don’t have a perfect track record, but they’ve been helpful to me in my ongoing quest to replace thoughts with sleep.