Just as a side note, before I started using this breathing technique to help me fall asleep, I relied on a different technique that worked pretty effectively (some of the time) and I’d like to share it with you as it’s a good “transition” technique.
This technique involves using your mind (as opposed to moving beyond the mind) to help you fall asleep.
If you absolutely have to think about something while falling asleep, at least in the beginning stages of learning the breathing technique, the NUMBER ONE thing to remember is to NOT fall asleep thinking about something that gives you anxiety or stresses you out.
The other thing to keep in mind is to NOT fall asleep thinking about something that provokes strong emotions, good or bad.
For example, thinking about your upcoming vacation (generally happy thoughts) might get you so excited and your mind so stimulated that you can’t fall asleep. These types of thoughts can also prompt you to start planning and organizing which will definitely keep up.
Similarly, thinking thoughts that trigger anxiety, sadness, fear, stress or worry will make your mind race and keep you up all night.
Instead, either focus on something that is neutral and doesn’t trigger a strong emotional response, usually easiest to achieve when thinking about nature such as trees in a forest, clouds moving in the sky, waves in the ocean, or animals in the wild, OR focus on a memory, place, person, or experience that gives you a feeling of peace and calm and makes you feel good (not future related).
When I used to rely on this technique, I had “go-to thoughts” that I would think of when I was at that point of “ok, I NEED to stop thinking about this and fall asleep.”
One of my “go-to thoughts” was a memory of Costa Rica and how peaceful and good I felt when I was there. The other “go-to thought” was of envisioning my baby niece and how pure and innocent she is.
For me, these thoughts created a sense of peace within me and were the thoughts I’d resort to when I needed help falling asleep. However, this technique didn’t always work.
The reason that this technique wasn’t as effective as the breathing technique is because I was trying to calm my mind using my mind. This sometimes created a mind trap where one thought would trigger the next and take me right back to stressful thinking.
I also had to be in control of what I was thinking which is quite difficult when you’re trying to fall asleep.
Nevertheless though, it’s A LOT BETTER to think neutral and peaceful thoughts than stressful ones when trying to fall asleep so you can try this technique as well.
However, at the end of the day (literally), the best and fastest way to calm your mind and fall asleep is to simply GET OUT OF YOUR MIND and into the present moment byfocusing on your breath. It’s a sort of meditation before falling asleep that will get you into a very zen-like state and ensure a night of deep and rejuvenating sleep.
Please experiment with this technique and let me know how it goes in the comments below!
SHARE THIS ARTICLE IF YOU THOUGHT IT WAS HELPFUL!
Click here to read this complete article.
