Overthinking deprives me from sleep. What should i do?

Hi try bathing in epsom bath salts an hour be 4 u go to bed they heip u relax and hopefully u will get some sleep. If not go to docs who will most likely put you on low dose of amtrypline. But see how u get on with the saits b4 taking any medication. All the best

You have a problem that is now very common in the society of today, if that's any consolation to you. You need to consult a doctor and/or psychologist to determine what's the best way forward for you.

Yeah a bath isn't going to stop racing thoughts...

Nor is exercise or diet unfortunately. I have an appointment with a Hypnotherapist this week, apparently this and counselling is the only way to beat an overactive mind.

I'll let you know how I get on. I go 3/4 days without sleep almost every week and have done everything in my power to cure myself to no avail.

Eventhough I have a tough day, I still cannot manage to go to sleep. My husband told me to drink some sleeping pills. Maybe i should take his advice.

​I think I also need to visit a doctor and will also set up my appointment this week to finally resolve my issue. Thank you for all your advices.

Hi Mary Charice, first, I want to tell you that I hear you, and you are not alone! It is hard to be up all night with your brain set on 'Worry Mode'. I have been, I used to be an insomniac (for over 15 years). Now I am sleeping very well, so here are some tips you can do to help you sleep better:

1. Relaxing your mind

-Meditation is very helpful and has been proven to help the mind settle down and prepare for sleep, as well as more restful sleep. I recommend Mindfulness of Breathing meditation, and I recomend learning with a real teacher (not yuotube video, though you can start there). That's a 'long-term' commitment

-To help on the short-term, ie when you wake up at night: have a notebook and write the tasks that are worrying you. It is a great way to tell the mind 'it is ok, this will be taken care of in the morning', and is relaxing.

-You can also do 'stream of consciousness' writing before going to bed (write everything that comes to mind, and don't stop writing until you have gone through at least 3 pages - check out Julia Cameron's Morning Pages: she recommends to but do them in the morning but you can do them in the evening)

2. Your digestion

-Our digestion can prevent us from sleeping/wake us up. I don't know how you eat so here are broad recommendations: Make sure that what you eat is easily digestible: avoid red meat, and also AVOID eating raw. Raw food, such as salads, is extremely difficult to digest, and in the evenings our digestive track is tired and can not do its digestive job very well. If you eat food that is dificult to digest you will struggle to fall asleep or are likely to wake up. The best is a light dinner of cooked vegetable (ie soup) 3 hours before going to sleep (I know, not easy but worth it

3. Treat your anxiety

Insomnia and anxiety are often linked and are self perpetuating problems. I should know. It took me a severe panic attack +losing my hair to finally accept to see a therapist and take antidepressants. Antidepressants can affect REM sleep negatively but have been proven to help with onset insomnia. I took them for 4 months and they were a magical crutch to heal my insomnia - along with dedicated work with a therapist.

Hope that helps.

Please let us know how you cope and know that you are not alone!

Gaelle