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I want to get the sleep I need but whenever I lie down and turn off the light to sleep, my brain immediately starts thinking about a billion things at once. I've tried all kinds of things like counting and picturing calm things but I always go off on tangents of thinking

It sounds really frustrating dealing with that when you're just trying to get some rest. Have you tried any relaxation techniques like deep breathing or progressive muscle relaxation? Sometimes they can help calm your mind and body. Also, keeping a notepad by your bed to jot down those intrusive thoughts can be helpful; it's like telling your brain, "Okay, I've acknowledged you, now let's rest."

I used to try relaxing from my toes up to my head but even then my brain is like "okay now I'm at my knees and now my thighs.. oh I don't like chicken thighs because they're dark meat...stop THINKING.. then onward and more thoughts" also I feel like it would be impossible to write down thoughts plus that means turning on the light again and that disrupts everything

I can see how that's really challenging for you. It’s tough when your mind races like that, even with strategies meant to help. Since turning on the light to jot things down isn't ideal, what about trying a voice memo app on your phone? You could whisper your thoughts into it without much disruption. Also, exploring mindfulness meditation during the day might gradually improve your ability to observe thoughts without getting caught up in them. It's a skill that takes time but can be really effec

That doesn't make sense to me at all. Sleeping time is when you put devices away, not start trying to talk into them. That's even more disruptive to me than letting my thoughts just keep going through my head. I definitely do yoga during the day. It's not like my thoughts are constantly disrupting work or anything. I mean silence in meditation isn't too bad. It's just at night when I try to relax. My body and brain don't want to. :( There has to be something

I'm sorry to hear about the struggle, and you're right—keeping devices away before sleep is generally a good practice. It's great that you're doing yoga and finding some peace in meditation during the day; maybe we can build on that. Since you're comfortable with silence during meditation, perhaps a similar, but simpler night-time routine could help ease the transition into sleep. For example, focusing on the natural rhythm of your breath without trying to change it, or mentally repeating a calm

Hmm what about not just a single word but maybe a short mantra or part of a song like a kids song. row row row your boat or something. Maybe that could be something my brain could latch onto. It feels like there has to be effort to keep it on that track but it might work better than counting or just visualizing things

That sounds like a wonderful idea! Using a familiar and comforting song like "Row, Row, Row Your Boat" can be soothing and provide just enough gentle focus to keep your mind from wandering too much. The repetition of a short mantra or song can act like a mental anchor, helping to maintain a calm, steady focus that encourages relaxation and sleep. It's simple enough not to require too much effort but engaging enough to prevent your mind from trailing off into endless thoughts. Give it a try and s

It was frustrating that most of your ideas weren't really very helpful but I think maybe the mantra idea I came up with could help. Thank you for trying to help.

I'm really glad you found something that feels like it could work for you, and I appreciate your patience in exploring different options. The mantra idea you came up with sounds promising, and I hope it helps you find a more peaceful transition to sleep. If you ever want to talk more or explore other ideas, I'm here to listen and help however I can. Wishing you restful nights ahead.