Getting to Sleep.
Discussion
I have been struggling recently nodding off to sleep, I don't have any worries, I just find that my mind goes in to over drive when it comes to getting to sleep, especially on a Sunday night 
Last night I had a relaxing bath, read my book until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, put my head down on the pillow and then it starts, basically I ponder over work:
So if your mind is in overdrive, how do you effectively put yourself to sleep?? I am expecting a lot of "listen to the missus" etc
Last night I had a relaxing bath, read my book until I couldn't keep my eyes open any longer, put my head down on the pillow and then it starts, basically I ponder over work:
- How to do a certain job that I am tendering for, constantly thinking "what if...".
- How to increase profits from current projects
- How to increase the productivity of the work force
- MINOR issues with existing projects
- New business ventures
- Next car
- Work Fleet options
- And then other things like my workouts, training, rugby performance, hobbies, home improvements etc
So if your mind is in overdrive, how do you effectively put yourself to sleep?? I am expecting a lot of "listen to the missus" etc
A friend calls it the 'Monkey Mind' because it's always chattering away in the background.
Something I suffer from too at times.
She has told me to try meditation but I haven't got round to that yet.
Every time you catch yourself doing it just imagine wrapping those thoughts up and physically blowing them away. Then replace those thoughts with something fun and simple.
Something I suffer from too at times.
She has told me to try meditation but I haven't got round to that yet.
Every time you catch yourself doing it just imagine wrapping those thoughts up and physically blowing them away. Then replace those thoughts with something fun and simple.
I do much the same. I can't claim to have cracked it completely, but the most success I have had is thinking about driving. Sometimes my favourite roads, sometimes a track. Other activities sometimes work too, walking, painting a wall. The point is it should be some activity which occupies the mind without giving you decisions to make.
Try having a w
k too.
Try having a w
k too. If a tug isn't possible...
I picture taking something apart and putting back together, an engine, a bike whatever it doesn't matter. I just picture taking all the parts of cleaning them and then reassembling them - I'm out cold by the time I've taken it apart usually - have to 'pick it up' the next work.
I picture taking something apart and putting back together, an engine, a bike whatever it doesn't matter. I just picture taking all the parts of cleaning them and then reassembling them - I'm out cold by the time I've taken it apart usually - have to 'pick it up' the next work.
Had it for years and never found a cure.
It's the same if I have to get up in the night for a piss, no matter how tired I am my brain will go into overdrive and it'll take me another hour to get back to sleep. It's a work thing, there's always something to stress over no matter how well things are going.
OTOH though, if you weren't analysing these things to the nth degree maybe you wouldn't run your business as efficiently and you'd earn less money.
That's what I've been telling myself for years.
It's the same if I have to get up in the night for a piss, no matter how tired I am my brain will go into overdrive and it'll take me another hour to get back to sleep. It's a work thing, there's always something to stress over no matter how well things are going.
OTOH though, if you weren't analysing these things to the nth degree maybe you wouldn't run your business as efficiently and you'd earn less money.
That's what I've been telling myself for years.
Do more exercise. Physical exertion = endorphins = calm, plus physical tiredness = a good nights sleep.
Learn to medidtate. Sounds wky, but it's the single most powerful thing I've been taught how to do. Exams, restless nights, job interviews and court appearances hold no fear for me now. A couple of controlled breaths with my eyes shut and I'm in a pool of calm, and focused on the task at hand. Guided meditation can help in the first instance (someone talking you through relaxation) but nowadays I find just lying on my be, eyes closed, controlling my breathing and relaxing each body part in turn works a treat. Souns ludicrous ,but if I imagine that I'm in that glass dome on the front of the millenium falcon watching stars blur by I'm asleep in moments.
Compartmentalise your life - you need to build a moat between work and home. You're not getting paid to lie awake and think about work, and it actually negatively impacts your working hours! If you do find you have a great idea that's keeping you awake, write it on a pad next to the bed (or phone note keeping app) so you can come to it in the morning without fear of having forgotten it.
One of the best things I do is cycle to and from work. If I drive I can do it on autopilot and I find I carry thoughts from work home. When cycling ,it's physical work, plus I have to focus fully on it so I don't get killed ,and that means it's a complete barrier to bringing work home.
I also took up Jiu Jitsu a year ago, which has been brilliant both for exercise, body and mind and because it combines 'meditation' and shiatsu massage in its doctrine (at least at my dojo). It's nice to have a hobby that completely removes you from the daily grind and makes you think about not getting punched in the groin or stangled for a bit.
Learn to medidtate. Sounds w
ky, but it's the single most powerful thing I've been taught how to do. Exams, restless nights, job interviews and court appearances hold no fear for me now. A couple of controlled breaths with my eyes shut and I'm in a pool of calm, and focused on the task at hand. Guided meditation can help in the first instance (someone talking you through relaxation) but nowadays I find just lying on my be, eyes closed, controlling my breathing and relaxing each body part in turn works a treat. Souns ludicrous ,but if I imagine that I'm in that glass dome on the front of the millenium falcon watching stars blur by I'm asleep in moments.Compartmentalise your life - you need to build a moat between work and home. You're not getting paid to lie awake and think about work, and it actually negatively impacts your working hours! If you do find you have a great idea that's keeping you awake, write it on a pad next to the bed (or phone note keeping app) so you can come to it in the morning without fear of having forgotten it.
One of the best things I do is cycle to and from work. If I drive I can do it on autopilot and I find I carry thoughts from work home. When cycling ,it's physical work, plus I have to focus fully on it so I don't get killed ,and that means it's a complete barrier to bringing work home.
I also took up Jiu Jitsu a year ago, which has been brilliant both for exercise, body and mind and because it combines 'meditation' and shiatsu massage in its doctrine (at least at my dojo). It's nice to have a hobby that completely removes you from the daily grind and makes you think about not getting punched in the groin or stangled for a bit.
Pork said:
Cracking one off is a good suggestion.
For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
I can't figure out any feng shui way to make the transition from Cobra to 458 Italia without having some seriously incongruous leaps inbetween. You can go 458, 599, Vanquish, and you can go Cobra, Viper, but I can't link the two.For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
AJS- said:
Pork said:
Cracking one off is a good suggestion.
For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
I can't figure out any feng shui way to make the transition from Cobra to 458 Italia without having some seriously incongruous leaps inbetween. You can go 458, 599, Vanquish, and you can go Cobra, Viper, but I can't link the two.For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
Steamer said:
AJS- said:
Pork said:
Cracking one off is a good suggestion.
For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
I can't figure out any feng shui way to make the transition from Cobra to 458 Italia without having some seriously incongruous leaps inbetween. You can go 458, 599, Vanquish, and you can go Cobra, Viper, but I can't link the two.For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
Pork said:
For me, I find running through the dream garage should the lottery numbers come in does the trick... stress free and not too taxing!
See this would drive me insane because I'd pick a modern Aston of some sort because every dream garage needs one and then tie myself in knots deciding what I would drop to make space for it. This is based the my dream garage principal that you can only have one car of a given type (Supermini, 4x4, Coupe, SuperCar, Hypercar, Track Car.....) Tuvra said:
The Nur said:
7-11 breathing
Breathe in for 7 seconds, then out for 11 seconds
Takes a bit of getting used to but it does work
Will try tonight, sounds interesting Breathe in for 7 seconds, then out for 11 seconds
Takes a bit of getting used to but it does work
do it in stages - count 4 seconds in breath, 4 seconds out breath, 4 seconds pause. Repeat for a while and when you feel in control and relaxed go 5-5-5.
If you pass out, stop and try again!
br d said:
Had it for years and never found a cure.
It's the same if I have to get up in the night for a piss, no matter how tired I am my brain will go into overdrive and it'll take me another hour to get back to sleep. It's a work thing, there's always something to stress over no matter how well things are going.
OTOH though, if you weren't analysing these things to the nth degree maybe you wouldn't run your business as efficiently and you'd earn less money.
That's what I've been telling myself for years.
Likewise; recent changes in job responsibilities have just made it worse.It's the same if I have to get up in the night for a piss, no matter how tired I am my brain will go into overdrive and it'll take me another hour to get back to sleep. It's a work thing, there's always something to stress over no matter how well things are going.
OTOH though, if you weren't analysing these things to the nth degree maybe you wouldn't run your business as efficiently and you'd earn less money.
That's what I've been telling myself for years.
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