If you have had a difficult day take some time to stop and relax. When we “go, go, go” then head straight to bed, our thoughts aren’t ready to stop and keeping our thoughts racing. Here are some good ways to slow down so your mind doesn’t keep you awake.
- Have a warm bath (not hot) as this will help your body reach a temperature that’s ideal for rest.
- Writing “to do” lists for the next day can organize your thoughts and clear your mind of any worrying thoughts that pop in to your head (more about that later…)
- Relaxation exercises, such as light yoga stretches, help to relax the muscles. Don’t exercise vigorously though, as it will have the opposite effect.
- Relaxation CDs can help as they use a hypnotic voice to guide you through muscle relaxation and soothing music and sound effects to relax your brain.
- Watching TV or any computer or phone screen keeps the brain engaged and active so it is harder to fall asleep. It is better to read a book or listen to the radio as that relaxes the mind by distracting it from the present worries.
I hope you find these 5 tips useful. If you often feel stressed and would like to read more about ways to improve your mood please take a look at my free booklet below by entering your name and the email address you want the booklet sent to. I also have many articles on ways to improve your emotional well being on my blog which I hope you will also find helpful .
Dr. Sarah Allen specializes in empowering women to live the life they want. She sees clients in her Northbrook office or via telephone or Skype sessions. Visit www.drsarahallen.com for more blog posts on a variety of issues relevant to women. She can also be reached at (847) 791-7722 or by the form below.