How to Ease a Active Mind

[Eastender]

You know sometimes your mind is so active, that your thinking about all kinds of things, what to wear tomorrow, what your having for dinner tomorrow, what happened last week. As soon as you lay down a thousand thoughts are running through it lol. How do you ease it and relax? Just trying to get some tips.

[albaqwerty]

Just breathe normally and think of a completely different thing.

[bensmum]

I know what you mean - drives me mad! My Tai Chi teacher advises us to either watch or visualise a candle flame which is quite therapeutic. That coupled with some breathing exercises helps me

[Eve]

Try to daydream, find something uncomplicated you can let your mind drift to, something relaxing.

I have problems switching off, especially from work. I did meditation classes for a while and while I still wouldn't switch off, I switched off more and learnt more relaxation techniques.

Focussing your attention on something else which is quite mindless (or at least less absorbing and self absorbing) can also help. I find people watching and daydreaming over coffee helps me switch off, similar going off wandering with my camera or even having a massage (at least you're relaxed even if you are still thinking).

For a time I used to have SkyNews on to help me get to sleep as it gets quite repetitive after a while - you're screwed if something happens though!

[ladyalex]

Try to relax your body, breathe steadily, then make yourslef thik about somethign which is not worrying. eg maybe you could try to set out your family tree in your mind's eye, or if that is stressful maybe you could try to set out the family tree of a soap character in your mind's eye.
Or try to remember a place you used to enjoy going to when you were younger....try to visualise the place and everything you did in it.
Good luck.

[boxtops]

I don't think about the things on your mind - those things get dealt with at the time they happen - but if I finding it hard to go to sleep, I imagine I'm walking in the woods. the next thing I know, it's morning.

[Maydup]

I'm just the same sometimes and all manner of visualisation and calming thoughts seem to have no effect.

But I tend to be better off working a busy mind until it runs out of steam I have an alphabet game I do - choose a topic like naming British towns, or listing things that I saw on my journey home from work, or thinking of all the things you could by in a hardware store. The more I test by brain the quicker its seems to wind down and I often doze off somewhere around H,I,J,K!

[Kassee]

Rescue Remedy - a Bach Flower Remedy is really good - it is sold almost everywhere these days - chemist, supermarket. Four drops in a little water. It is supposed to calm you down and help you relax when stressed - and it works wonders for helping to relax an overactive mind. I sleep like a log now.

Also they say that telly and computer screen, ds and playstation - all screens should be switched off at least an hour before bed - otherwise you wont sleep. A book is a good idea to relax before nodding off. Hope this helps

[sandyRoe]

Listen to a relaxation tape?

[Lore]

I listen to classical music, read something light hearted and take my tongue off of the roof of my mouth.

[China Doll]

I read. It gives me something to focus on as well as relax too. Sometimes I also do puzzles.

[CAJ1]

I lie in bed and recite my times tables in my head starting at 1x and I never get to 12x because I've fallen asleep!! If I start thinking of something else I start back at 1x

[Eastender]

Glad to know other people have a active mind like mine. Thanks for the tips.