- Date posted
- 4y ago
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I feel the exact same way. For me, what really helps is turning on a TV show that I’ve seen before and find really comforting, something that will keep my attention just enough that I don’t think of anything else but not so much that I’m unable to fall asleep. Also, there’s a meditation technique called noting that’s really helpful if you want to look into that! I hope that helps.
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I browse Reddit until my phone drops out of my hands. Not healthy, and I don’t recommend, but I wanted you to know you’re not alone
- Date posted
- 4y ago
Some people struggle with mornings more, some with nights, but yes totally! Sleep can be a surprisingly stressful time for anxiety. I find that my most anxious time is first thing in the morning, and what I’ve found that helps is to simply accept and expect it! Having realistic expectations can make all the difference. When I wake up, I go “oh look my morning anxiety is here, right on time. Let’s breath deeply and then get up in a few minutes.” By making this my “normal”, I don’t actually dread it. Other tips might be to make a really calming sleep routine. Have some non caffeinated tea, read a book, stay away from screens (tv, phone, computer), light a scented candle, keep the lighting dim and pleasant, do a guided meditation specifically for sleep, etc. You can use these to change your associations with sleep over time. Whatever method you choose: stop procrastinating or avoiding going to bed. Each time you do that, you’re reinforcing for your brain that this is an unpleasant experience you must avoid because you can’t handle it. It will only increase your sense of dread and distress when it comes time to finally go to bed. Avoidance here not be a full blown compulsion, but it has the same effect.
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I associate sleep with being lazy because as a teenager I was a night owl who would stay up and message my friends and then my mother would scream at me and physically drag me out of bed in the morning. As an adult it took me a long time to let myself sleep in on the weekends. I really just repeat the phrase to myself "just luxuriate in this time of rest". For some reason that really helps. The idea of luxuriating and treating it as a soap or self care
- Date posted
- 4y ago
I struggle with this too! My bedtime routine is really stressful for me because I tend to do a lot of compulsions during that which is really stressful - not to mention being tired makes it even worse ?
Related posts
- Date posted
- 21w ago
At times, my intrusive thoughts get so intense that all I can do is lay frozen in my bed and hope I fall asleep, and usually I do even if I'm not tired. My brain just wears me out and I wanna escape through sleep. (Sadly it doesn't work all the time)
- Date posted
- 20w ago
Does anyone have tips on good sleep hygeine? What does everyone use to relax and wind down before bedtime?
- Date posted
- 14w ago
I’m having a big OCD relapse and would like to hear anyone’s tips on how to be present and healthily deal with these intrusive thoughts and the “need” to preform compulsions. Thank you!!
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