Help put me to sleep.

I'm so tired. It's almost 5 AM here. I'm usually a night owl, but I think staying up to 6 AM every night for the last five years is starting to take its toll. The problem is, I might be tired, but I just can't sleep.

Help lull me to bed.

sheesh!

big toenail. Or anything similar. Contemplate it, whatever it is to the nth degree. Quiet, relaxed contemplation on a single subject or item helps me. Or think of a favorite vacation scenario. Explore the endless details this might involve. something soothing, pleasant and relaxing should do the trick.



Or you could let me tell you about my wonderful collection of Norwegian Credit Cards.

always works for me...

I've tried imagining myself on a tropical island. Then suddenly a volcano erupts, covering the tourists and natives with molten lava. Then I wonder if I have volcano insurance. Then I start thinking about how I have no insurance. Then I try and think of some get rich quick schemes so I can buy insurance. Then I get up and try to invent something to make money off of.

you need to try my method, (see post below) it's the only way I calm the beast when she doesn't want to settle down. It works, trust me. But do it exactly as I say. Let me know if you need more coaching tomorrow! :-)

I have lived every single funeral for every single one of my family members in those early am moments. I don't know how I end up there, but I do! I also figure out the answer to world peace right before I finally collapse, and forget when I wake up, feeling hung over (even though I had zero alchohol).

Deborah Harry solo cds or any of your own favorites, and use headphones, you can lull yourself to sleep thinking about how cool it would be if you could hang glide with headphones on and listen to music. The reason I mention Deborah Harry is because a lot of her solo material would be perfect for that daydream. It usually relaxes me to think about hang gliding. I've never actually done it, but I imagine it would be fun in a mellow way.

and I have some bad ole insomnia my friend...

count your breaths. Only in sets of ten. If your mind wanders at all, and you aren't sure what number you were on, start over. The goal is always to get to ten. Don't keep track of how many times you count to ten, don't time the count with anything, don't control your breathing. Just count to ten, exhales only, as a breath is inhale+exhale. ALWAYS get to ten and start over at one, unless you fuck up, then restart at one no matter what number you think you were at.

at some point in time, you will drift off. it clears my mind of all the bullshit that I can't let go of otherwise. I read it in a relaxation book, and thought, 'that's stupid.', but dammit if it didn't work. (I got desparate one night and tried everything I could think of).

Good luck! hope it works for you. Usually works in about 10-30 mins for me, depending on how frantic my brain is, and how many lists it wants to make.

After using this for a year or so, I have now added Enya or a relaxation CD to this and it works even better. (but I think it might distract a novice breath counter) The best CD I own for sleep is one I got at Whole Foods, 'scientifically designed to encourage and promote peaceful sleep'- it's awesome.