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How to Turn Off Your Mind When You’re Too Stressed to Sleep

April 8, 2022      Tami R      13 Comments

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Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental issues can make it really hard to sleep - but not impossible. Here are tips for turning off your overactive mind when you're too stressed to sleep!

Have you ever gotten into bed at night to sleep but had trouble because you just couldn’t turn your mind off?

I used to have this problem all the time – and sometimes I still do. Whether I was too stressed, overthinking every little detail about the day, or my mind just wouldn’t stop wandering – it took me forever to get to sleep.

If you have the same problem, you’re not alone. It’s a common problem, especially among people with anxiety.

The real problem is that sleep is super important so your stress or anxiety could get worse when you’re not getting a full, restful night’s sleep.

But no matter what’s causing this problem for you – your job, a personal problem, your anxiety, or something else – there are ways that you can work through it.

Here are some tips for turning your mind off at night when you’re too stressed to sleep!

 

Stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental issues can make it really hard to sleep - but not impossible. Here are tips for turning off your overactive mind when you're too stressed to sleep!

 

• First, unplug from everything

Most people have heard this advice, but they don’t listen to it. Our laptops, phones, and tablets emit blue light, which isn’t good before bed. It suppresses our body’s melatonin, the hormone that helps us fall asleep. Also, spending time before bed scrolling through social media isn’t the most positive use of our time. This brings me to the next tip…

 

• Take at least 30 minutes to unwind

It’s a good idea to spend at least 30 minutes (or maybe an hour, if you need it) unwinding before we go to sleep. Stay away from stimulants such as caffeine, try to stop thinking about work or personal problems, and create a little ritual full of activities that relax you and help you de-stress. Think of things like:

  • Praying
  • Meditating
  • Journaling about the day
  • Reading a book
  • Taking a bath
  • Doing yoga
  • Listening to calming music
  • Drinking a cup of Sleepytime tea

 

• Have a (somewhat) regular sleep schedule

I know that a perfectly regular sleep schedule can be impossible for some people, but try to be as regular as you can about it. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day is probably the most helpful way to be able to fall asleep easier. It’s healthy to try to make sure that your sleep is in sync with your circadian rhythms. This is good for both our physical and mental health.

 

• Make your bedroom cozy

Having a cozy bedroom environment is a great way to make yourself comfy and sleepy. I like to keep my room at a cool temperature and use a warm blanket and lots of pillows. Making sure that your room is dark also helps, but if your room isn’t dark for some reason then it’s a good idea to use a sleep mask and/or blackout curtains. Also, invest in a good mattress, good quality sheets, and anything else that will help. Using a weighted blanket can also help, especially if you have anxiety, ADHD, or other mental health issues.

 

• Try to focus on something mindless

Counting sheep isn’t just a cliche – it can help. When our mind just won’t stop, no matter what, it’s helpful to distract ourselves. Things like counting sheep, repeating a word over and over, visualizing yourself sleeping, or another mindless mental task can help us to stop overthinking and have an easier time falling asleep. I usually try to name all 50 state capitals or something and it actually helps me fall asleep!


What helps you fall asleep at night? Let’s chat in the comments!

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Tara Pittman says

    April 8, 2022 at 2:57 pm

    I always have a hard time turning off my mind at night. I sometimes will drink a magnesium drink before bed to help me relax.

    Reply
  2. Beth says

    April 8, 2022 at 11:23 pm

    Lately, I’ve been having trouble sleeping. Thanks for sharing these tips, I know you’re right about unplugging, but it is a tough one for me.

    Reply
  3. Fransic verso says

    April 9, 2022 at 2:21 pm

    Even though it’s difficult to unplug everything for me but I will try it. I need to keep something going and waste some time on my phone.

    Reply
  4. Brianna says

    April 9, 2022 at 2:26 pm

    Such great tips! I need to try these more [email protected]

    Reply
  5. Katie C says

    April 9, 2022 at 2:38 pm

    This has definitely happened to me more often lately. I’ve started doing a short sleep time meditation or reading a book and it seems to help!

    Reply
  6. PATRICE says

    April 9, 2022 at 3:06 pm

    Great post! I sometimes struggle falling asleep myself. Will definitely create a ritual before I go to sleep.

    Reply
  7. Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment) says

    April 9, 2022 at 5:47 pm

    It’s important to learn to shut off all technology, set up consistent before bedtime habits. I appreciate these tips, and enjoy taking time to read and pray before going to sleep. Enjoyed reading your post. 🤗

    Pastor Natalie (ExamineThisMoment)
    Letstakeamoment.com

    Reply
  8. Ice Cream n Sticky Fingers says

    April 9, 2022 at 10:39 pm

    I have a hard time falling asleep quite frequently. But here lately staying asleep is my main issue. Either I have to get up to use the bathroom or the animals wake me up. Broken sleep isn’t the best sleep that you can get.

    Reply
  9. Lynndee says

    April 10, 2022 at 8:06 am

    I agree with having a regular sleep schedule. I also only drink coffee in the morning.

    Reply
  10. Catalina says

    April 10, 2022 at 9:31 am

    This is not an easy part at all. Sometimes I am too stressed to sleep and the next day I am too stressed that I hadn’t slept. It’s a chain!

    Reply
  11. Richelle Milar says

    April 10, 2022 at 10:10 am

    These are all really great tips, this will be a really big help thanks for sharing!

    Reply
  12. Rose Ann Sales says

    April 10, 2022 at 10:12 am

    I totally agree about having enough sleep it is really important. Thanks for sharing this with us!

    Reply
  13. Jessi says

    August 15, 2022 at 1:05 am

    I like to read for a while before bed. If I can’t fall asleep I like to listen to an episode or two of Nocturne podcast because it’s interesting but the narrator has an incredibly soothing voice. Another thing that helps me is either saying a long prayer or singing a relaxing song in my head until I fall asleep. Another thing I’ve learned from a doctor is that if you just cannot sleep for a long time and it’s really bugging you you should get up, go in a different room, turn on the light and then do something relaxing until you feel tired or for an hour, then try going back in your bedroom and sleeping again.

    Reply

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