Shutting my brain down!

sleblanc72 · February 2012

Guys I need help, my damn brain won't shut down at night! Between being on call this week and me having dreams like there's no tomorrow, mostly stupid wedding related, I've gotten so little sleep and Fi's on call until Monday morning.

What do you ladies do to shut your brain down at night? I'm the kind of person that when I'm really excited or nervous over something I just can't stop thinking about it and there's so much going on right now I'm having trouble just shutting everything out and it either causes me to not sleep and go over everything in my head or to have many dreams.

Help me sleep!

MMRoberts11 · February 2012

When I get like that I try to meditate before bed. I also will take quick release melatonin to help me fall asleep.

chelseakopperud · February 2012

I sometimes have the same issue. I try to unwind by watching some TV curled up in bed or reading a book curled up in bed. It takes my focus off of whatever was on my mind and then I sleep much better! Also, make sure you arent doing anything wedding related or even talking about it after a certain time of night (I think Kelsey mentioned doing this).

kelsey+brandon · February 2012

Like Chelsea said, I've stopped looking at wedding stuff or anything on the internet for that matter starting 2 hours before bed time. It's really helped me to relax and stop stressing. There's only so many pictures and so much stuff you can do that late at night anyways.

I seriously didn't sleep for a week straight and as soon as I started this, I slept soo much better.

I would also try drinking a cup of something warm and decaffinated, like some tea. They even make calming flavors that are so yummy.

This week I've also found that actually going to the gym is making me exhausted! It's such good sleep too, I love it. Maybe a little too good though because either my alarm didn't go off or I just slept right through it this morning!

sleblanc72 · February 2012

I know my mom uses the melatonin Meg, I'll have to look into that, thanks. I've never done any form of meditation but maybe I will read up on it.

That's the thing Chelsea, I do read every night, and morning (I read a lot), and we watch lots of TV. In terms of wedding stuff I usually don't do much during the week, my brain has just decided to turn against me this week! Normally I can deal with it, but when Fi's on call it's 24/7 so there's middle of the night wake-ups.

ETA: Tea! Thank you Kelsey. Also, we haven't been going to the gym and I think that's part of it because when we do we're also on a much more regular schedule and I do seem to sleep better on the days I get to the gym.

midgetthemighty · February 2012

I was going to suggest reading. I don't normally have any problem turning my brain off at night. Not much help here.

Zimsgirl · February 2012

I watch tv sometimes do hot tea or cocoa

kristin183 · February 2012

I agree with other people.
If I am up looking at wedding stuff right before I go to bed my mind will not shut off when I get into bed. I have had to stop looking at wedding stuff before bed so my mind can wind down and I can get some sleep.

ncd5015 · February 2012

After a long day, I'll take a shower, put on my pajamas and crawl into bed. I sleep really well then!

CvilleClaire · February 2012

I am a worry wart. When I get into bed, I often mentally go through my budget, make lists, etc. Just the other night, I started worrying about our cake baker's practice of bringing a fresh tier of wedding cake to each couple that had a cake of 75 servings or more. The way the sizes worked out, our cake is 74 servings. I seriously lost sleep wondering if we'd get the anniversary tier (found out the next morning that we are). So silly of me!

I think turning off the TV, phone, and computer really helps. When my FI is on a business trip, I usually shut everything off early and spend a little time snuggling my dog.

I have found that having an evening face routine has helped a little bit. All my little lotions and potions take time and it's a soothing, repetitive ritual. I have a Clarisonic Mia 2 on the way and I think that'll force me to keep going with that routine.

KrisKenny · February 2012

No help here as I have insomnia so I take medication for it! I've had insomnia for probably 10+ years and up until last year, I was only sleeping 3 or so hours a night. Finally, I got sick of it and talked to my doctor.

I have the same problem - my brain doesn't shut off. The other night, I was so stressed, I was awake at 3am not being able to sleep - even with taking my medication. I knew I should of taken 2 pills that night but didn't.

AlliJae · February 2012

I would reccomend sleepytime tea! It makes my body relax so I can sleep.

Also, if you are into yoga doing a few yoga moves before bed helps me to clear my mind and relax my body. Particularly Shavasana (laying flat on your back) and really conentrating on letting every single thing in your body relax and "sink into the floor"

It's something easy to do while you are laying down in bed!

Tiffany6912 · February 2012

When I am having a hard time unwinding, I usually put some calm music on low, read a book, sip on decaf sleepy-time tea and use a light that is dimmer than the normal overhead light in the bedroom. I definitely find it best for me to avoid the tv and computer.

daria24 · February 2012

This is going to sound very strange, but it really works for me to focus my mind on something else. I pick a movie, book, etc and imagine what happens to the characters after the story ends. I make up a whole plot line and focus on that because anything real life oriented just makes me stress out! I can't imagine my wedding day, or going on a trip, anything that might actually exist (and will therefore have real problems to solve).

gregamywedding · February 2012

I usually will put the sleep timer on the TV and listen to the tv until I fall asleep. It helps keep my mind focused on one thing instead of jumping between a million things. I also agree with everyone and would drink to tea.

sleblanc72 · February 2012

Thank you so much for all the advice ladies, so many things to try!

Jeannine that's exactly how I am I go over everything possible making all kinds of lists and everything and then it permeates into my dreams.

acaponi87 · February 2012

I was going to say tea also but I did that last night (peppermint---decaf) and it failed miserably.

So I'm going to say have sex instead! Definitely gets my mind off things lol

kipnus · February 2012

I don't usually have a problem with this--I'm exhausted by the time I go to bed, and fall asleep pretty quickly. On occasion, though, I do get the racing thoughts that won't stop. When that happens, I get out of bed and write stuff down. I find it really helpful to put my thoughts on paper, and then I don't feel like I have to remember stuff.

sweetcanadian1979 · February 2012

I have a horrible time shutting my brain down. I go to the washroom at least 5 times a night & when i go to the bathroom my mind starts going again too. I read ALL the time. I can not meditate, i lose focus on that sooooooo fast. I have not taken to melatonin. It works more of the time but twice i have still had a hard time. Good luck.

calisel · February 2012

In Response to <a href="http://forums.weddingchannel.com/main.aspx/wedding-club-boards_june-2012-weddings_shutting-brain-down?plckFindPostKey=Cat:Wedding Club BoardsForum:3ae4d68d-f10a-4dec-8810-da13c14a7b86Discussion:0b3b36f6-45aa-4691-97cb-08c799a6eb29Post:87eb0a67-612c-4175-8189-522e90aa81d6">Re: Shutting my brain down!</a>:
[QUOTE]Thank you so much for all the advice ladies, so many things to try!

I would try soaking in a hot bath or taking a hot shower. If it is really bad I drink a glass of wine. I have been telling myself to stop thinking about the wedding past 7pm. Sometines it works sometimes it doesn't.

Well, good luck with your sleep...

Shutting my brain down!

Re: Shutting my brain down!

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