Hey, peeps.
I'm a thinker - my mind is always going. There are times when I'm coming up with a million and one great ideas, and other times when my brain will just not shut off - when I really need it to. Like at bedtime.Every night, right as I climb into bed to read a book or just sit here and text my boyfriend, the ominous thoughts come lurking. They hide in the shadows, and in the crevices and corners of my bedroom. They wait for me to finally get settled in and relaxed. And then, like a scary monster or killer, they pounce. My brain becomes infested with thoughts about anything and everything; you name it. I look back on my day and think about everything that went wrong, everything that went right. I think about tomorrow and everything I have to do, what time I have to get up, etc. I create these long and seemingly endless lists in my head and I have no idea what to do with them. All I can do is lie down and stare at the ceiling, hoping and praying that the thoughts will just go away and I will fall asleep already. I usually give it a fair amount of time, a fair amount of tossing and turning, opening and closing my eyes, sitting up and laying down, etc. before my brain finally decides to just settle down. Now, I'm not one for patience, so this is excruciatingly frustrating...
If you're reading this now and you can completely and totally relate, then the rest of this post is just for you. So read on, friend. If you have no idea what I'm talking about and have no feelings or emotions at the end of the day whatsoever, then, well, you're a robot. Or a heartless red-headed stepchild. Either way, you have no business being on the internet and/or reading such things.
So anyway - there's honestly not much to it. You gotta do a number of very obvious, plain and simple things and you'll be waking up the next morning before you know it. Here's what you gotta do to keep your brain calm and cool and collected:
1. Wash away the day. Literally wash up. Spend a fair amount of time in the bathroom washing your face and hands and even feet, as well as brushing your teeth. Get rid of all the dirt and food and grime that collects on your body throughout the day. Once it's all gone (or most of it at least), you'll feel clean and refreshed and ready to take on anything - but in this case, make that "anything" your bed and your sleepy-time.
2. You + Bed = Pure Bliss. Hop into your comfy bed and under the blankets! Unless it's too hot, of course. And it is summer, so... In this case, invest in a fan if you don't already have one. Turn that sucker up to high and then hop into bed. Fluff your pillows, or do whatever you gotta do to make it perfect for sleeping in. Your bed should be your sanctuary at night. And if it's not, then you need to re-evaluate some things in your life at this current moment in time. But in all seriousness, who doesn't love their bed?!
3. Lights out! Turn all lights, electronics, or whatever else, OFF. There have been studies that say shutting down your iPhones, computers, etc. a decent amount of time before you call it a night will give you a better night's sleep. Give it a try. Try it first, try it last. Keep reading and then you can decide when you want/need to turn off your lights and other things.
4. Close those pretty little eyes. Cut right to the chase! I ain't wasting any time and neither should you. After you've done all the necessary things to get ready for sleep, SLEEP. After laying down in bed, closing your eyes is the next step to falling asleep. Let your body relax, and let the Sleep Fairy do the rest!
Now all of the above steps sound simple and easy and will help you avoid all the ruminating. But of course these simple steps will not always work - or maybe they'll never work. And sometimes you've done all of this and you think you've made it through without any problems and then BAM! The thoughts come flooding in. Here are some other options if you have trouble with the above steps and/or the thoughts have already invaded your brain:
- Open up a good book. Preferably a happy one. Or one that you will enjoy without having to do much thinking or emotional or mental work for. A children's bedtime story may be your best bet. No matter how old you are, they are always great. Goodnight, Moon is my all-time favorite children's book (Okay, my favorite BOOK ever). Read something simple, maybe even something with pictures. Get yourself engaged in the story and before you know it, those awful thoughts will be gone and/or your eyes will be get tired and your body will be signaling to you to get to sleep.
- Watch a funny video clip, tv show, or movie. Depending on how much time you want to give yourself, watch any of these three and you'll surely forget about any bad thoughts you may previously have had. Whose Line Is It Anyway? is the greatest option ever. Laugh your ass off and before long, you'll be thinking about what funny quotes to share with a friend or co-worker in the morning.
- Lather up. Put some soothing lotion on your arms and legs, or a facial mask on your face. Let the cool liquid or gel soak into your skin. Lather, rinse, repeat (last step optional). This step should also include the option of taking a nice hot bath or shower. Soak in the tub for however long you deem fit, and just enjoy the thought of the great physical feelings it brings you. You'll feel relaxed and ready to settle down for the night.
- Massages are heavenly. If you live with someone else, ask them to give you a nice back or neck rub before calling it a night. Just like the lotion, a massage or body rub will relax your muscles and in turn, relax your brain. If you live alone, try a back or head scratcher. You may not think it's the same thing, but it's seriously just as good.
Well, that's all for tonight. I'm headed to sleep myself. Writing this post really made me feel a whole lot better. Would ya look at that? Maybe even doing something productive before bed will help calm your brain and ward off those yucky thoughts.
Goodnight, friends!
xoxo, Clare
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