I'm tired. So tired I can't even open my mouth to yawn. Still I can't sleep.  It's as if  a remote control switches my mind to fast forward the minute I hit the pillow.  It makes my mind race and causes my eyes to fly open and stare at the clock endlessly.  It is so frustrating!  

Are You Sleepless, Too?

Can you relate?  I hope not, my friend.  But if you can and you're sitting here reading this early in the morning, here are some things that I've found that help me when I can't sleep.

1. Find a Way to Turn Off Your Thoughts

Believe it or not, you can stop your thoughts from taking over.  If you're worried about things you need to do, get up and write them down.  Having a list will help ease your mind so it doesn't have to keep replaying it over and over.  If it's negative thoughts keeping you awake, try saying "Stop!" out loud.  Counter those thoughts with positive ones.  If you're thinking: "Man, I was so stupid for doing that," change your thoughts to think: "Okay, I made a silly mistake, but no biggie.  I'll do better next time."  Yeah, I know it sounds lame, but it works. Really.

2. Do Something to Help Your Body Relax

I like to take a hot bath. It's a great way to relax your body.  Adding a lavender scent also helps, since lavender is supposed to calm your nerves.  However, if that is too girly for you, there are other things you can do.  How about a snack of graham crackers and warm milk?  Warm milk contains calcium, which helps soothes your nervous system. Or try playing some soft calming music.  There are all sorts of CDs out there that are designed to help lull you to sleep.

3. Visualize Something Peaceful

Close your eyes and imagine that you're in your favorite place.  I like to picture myself sitting on a sunny beach.  You might like to be in a peaceful forest.  Wherever you are, just relax and enjoy it.  See the surroundings, listen to the sounds, and feel the warm sun on your skin. It's comforting and soon you'll drift off and fall asleep. 

It's not easy having sleep issues.  I know.  Boy, do I know.  But there are ways to ease the problem.  If you have techniques that help you, pass them on.  Until then, sleep well, my friend.

School is a couple of weeks away and I'm stressing already.  It's completely crazy, I know.  Why am I worrying about something that hasn't even happened yet?  It's not healthy and it's certainly not going to help.  I just need to chill and make myself do something besides worry.  Here is my list of choices.  What would be on your list?

"Take the next exit and get on the highway."  That's what my GPS told me.  I looked at the road sign.  There were two highways off of that exit.  "Which one?"  I asked out loud, hoping for an answer.  Nothing.  I bit my lip and decided to keep to the right.  After several miles and silence from the GPS,  I realized I'd taken the wrong road.  I had to search for the best place to make a U-turn.  Seems I'm always making U-turns.