Thoughts before bed

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Sillychick723

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I was wondering if it's just me or if you guys do this too. When I go to bed I have a million thoughts go through my head. I think about what I have to do at work, my kids, laundry, did I shut off the stove, returning friends phone calls, and on and on. I usually crash by the end of the day but my thoughts are non-stop sometimes. Is it a single mom thing, stress or something else?
 
Seems a pretty common thing. I found it annoying when it would happen to me, but I found a method to let the thoughts pass on by without acknowledgment and they stopped keeping me from falling asleep.
 
I don't think it's stress but being a single mother does carry alot of responsibilities. You should try to relax to clear your mind & body so you don't burn yourself out. There are many single parents unfortunately who go through it as well so your not the only one
 
It's a common issue but even more so for people who have a ton of responsibilities I used to love to listen to Christian music when i went to bed soon enough my body would relax and I would feel more at ease inside and my mind began to focus more on God and less of my worries and random thoughts
 
Hi Sillychick! :)

Kudos to you for being such a hard-working, dedicated mom!

I have racing thoughts all the time, and often have problems sleeping as well, so I can very much relate. I'm not sure if this will help? But I came to realize that one of the reasons my thoughts race is because I'm always afraid I'll forget something important.

I carry pens and paper with me all the time, so I can always scribble down things I need to remember (or I even send myself texts).

At night, I try to take about 15 minutes to sort my notes into lists: one for work, one for personal appointments, one for random chores, etc., and I keep the lists in a spiral notebook or calendar so everything is one place, and I can glance over everything I need to remember all at once.

This seems to help a lot with my anxiety over forgetting something important... I hope that maybe it could help ease your mind a little, too.

God bless and hope you have a peaceful night's rest.
 
I had issues for awhile with ruminating and terrible insomnia, but for me they were symptoms of a depressive episode.


Not saying that that's the case for you, and its completely normal to feel stress/depression/anxiety in actual stressful situations, so i definitely dont want to play internet doctor. I know for me, i don't feel rested the next day if I have racing thoughts the night before, so at minimum try to wind down before bed (instead of 'crashing' into unconsciousness)....no electronics, darkness, a book to read, maybe some hot tea or something soothing, and i keep my planner close by in case I need to jot reminders or tasks down to get them off my mind and compartmentalize all that stuff that doesn't need immediate attention.
 
Since I've been meditating I don't get this pre-sleep tension. I've learnt to also do it when I go to bed. It's sooo simple, I just focus on my breathing, and, focus on a steady smooth rhythm (the other important factor of breathing). This has recently been discovered to induce heart beat coherence. And God is more perceivable when you are able to find that still place, that is not clouded over by your own thoughts. It's still a work in progress, I have lots to deal with stress-wise but definitely meditating is part of a healthy mind and body, and sleep is the most important thing. I haven't prayed for a while, I'm very particular about it, I prefer to pray when I am at peace. I find when I pray and feel physical tension, it doesn't relax me, but maybe that's just me. I'm always looking for ways to be more healthy.
 
My mind never stops, I guess its a curse. But a beautiful one at that.
 
Sillychick723 said:
I was wondering if it's just me or if you guys do this too. When I go to bed I have a million thoughts go through my head. I think about what I have to do at work, my kids, laundry, did I shut off the stove, returning friends phone calls, and on and on. I usually crash by the end of the day but my thoughts are non-stop sometimes. Is it a single mom thing, stress or something else?
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I think its mostly just part of your protective motherly nature and wanting to be a good mom. As a responsible mom you worry about those things that you may have overlooked before going to bed. I suggest making a checklist.

For the work related stuff, I've heard that you should picture a big bag or box and picture all of your concerns going into it and then you seal it or tie it shut. Another way is to try self-hypnosis. Count backwards from ten slowly. 10 represents wide awake and 1 represents deep sleep. Tell yourself to relax your face, your arms, your legs, etc... as you do this. That way worked for me for a long time.
 
Sillychick723 said:
I was wondering if it's just me or if you guys do this too. When I go to bed I have a million thoughts go through my head. I think about what I have to do at work, my kids, laundry, did I shut off the stove, returning friends phone calls, and on and on. I usually crash by the end of the day but my thoughts are non-stop sometimes. Is it a single mom thing, stress or something else?
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****it part of your brain destressing---same with dreaming---without it we lose touch with reality...
 
I dunno, my brain does that all through the day. I'm constantly cycling through things I need to do, things I need to bring to here and there, things I really don't want to forget about. At the end of the day I go to bed and... go to sleep.

If I'm really worried about something the next day I might have trouble shutting down my brain. If that happens I concentrate on my heartbeat and respiration until I relax and go to sleep. I don't count beats or breaths like some people count sheep, I just listen to my heartbeat and breathing.

I don't know if that's meditation - I didn't take an official course or anything, and there's no mysticism at all - but it works for me.
 
Sillychick723 said:
I was wondering if it's just me or if you guys do this too. When I go to bed I have a million thoughts go through my head. I think about what I have to do at work, my kids, laundry, did I shut off the stove, returning friends phone calls, and on and on. I usually crash by the end of the day but my thoughts are non-stop sometimes. Is it a single mom thing, stress or something else?
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Hi Sillychick,

I think we all suffer from this from one degree to another. Is there an easy answer..probably not, or not one that I know off. Yet maybe a couple of tips that help me, may hopefully help you.

Think of what is important that needs done and those things that are not, like phoning/texting that friend back.. The world might not end if you just pre - decide that after a certain time you won't reply (might help - just one example).

The thing that helps me to relax before bed is I read a small portion of Scripture and then pray - let the Lord know your thoughts (he is interested), If you worry about not getting things done let Him know. Let him know even the slightest detail that keeps your mind going at night - for he is our Father who wants us to rest in his strength. Being a single parent with a thousand things to do an not enough time to do it on your own is stressful. My suggestion I hope will help you.

[FONT=&quot]He stilled the storm to a whisper;[/FONT][FONT=&quot] the waves of the sea were hushed. [/FONT][FONT=&quot]They were glad when it grew calm, [/FONT][FONT=&quot] and he guided them to their desired haven. (Psalm 107:29-30).

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]And who of you by being worried can add a single hour to his life? (Matt 6:27).

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.[/FONT][FONT=&quot] [/FONT][FONT=&quot]For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” (Matt 11:28-30).

[/FONT][FONT=&quot]Cast your cares on the Lord [/FONT][FONT=&quot]and he will sustain you; [/FONT][FONT=&quot]he will never let [/FONT][FONT=&quot]the righteous be shaken. (Psalm 55:22).[/FONT]


Pray to our Father with His own promise of Psalm 55:22, and ask him to sustain you when sleep evades. I hope this might be of help to you.
 
Sillychick723 said:
I was wondering if it's just me or if you guys do this too. When I go to bed I have a million thoughts go through my head. I think about what I have to do at work, my kids, laundry, did I shut off the stove, returning friends phone calls, and on and on. I usually crash by the end of the day but my thoughts are non-stop sometimes. Is it a single mom thing, stress or something else?
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I believe it can be normal. Depends on the situation.

However, it is normal for people who are under stress or just have active minds right before bed. It truly depends on the person. If I ever experience, I try to find an outlet. Whether that's hand lettering (if you don't know what it is, look it up), reading, hanging out with people, etc. etc.
 
Absolutely. Happens to me often... At times, I like it because it enables me to re-examine everything and occasionally, I'll think of something that needs mentioning or something that needs to be done.

But, when I don't like it (happens most often when I need to be up at a certain time the next day), I have to completely wear myself out by the end of the day to be able to fall asleep.

If I can't turn my brain off, I'll get up and find something else to do like watching TV for a little while. Then, I'll try to go back to bed and most of the time my brain is refocused and off the subject that I kept thinking about.
 
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