Thoughts from the day, money worries and the usual self-
doubts swirling round your head can often make sleep
impossible.
Worse still, this mental clutter can cause serious stress
over time, which in turn can lead to heart disease, type 2
diabetes, ulcers and strokes.
The trouble is, this mental clutter can become so ingrained
in your life, many people often put up with it without
realizing it’s a problem.
To clear out your mental clutter and get a good night’s
sleep, follow these 3 steps:
Get talking. The very best way to work through thoughts
or feelings that are bogging you down is to talk about
them.
Talking to an objective partner or friend is a great way to
work through your thoughts and get rid of them – but don’t
worry if you don’t come to any deep conclusions or solve
any problems...
.. the very act of talking is usually enough to release the
pressure and let your problem seem less overwhelming.
And you don’t even have to sound off to people if that
makes you feel uncomfortable.
Some people like to talk into tape recorders and others
talk to plants or animals. (I know someone who talks to their cactus so much I’m surprised it doesn’t talk back by now!)
Write it all down. You can clear your mental clutter by
getting your thoughts out from your brain and onto paper.
You could write a to-do list to see what you need to get
done, maybe write a letter or email to a supportive friend
or start a diary.
It also helps if you are weighed down by a situation (such
as a spat with a family member) to record your feelings.
Write about what you said, how you feel and how you
could’ve handled it better. A page or two might be all it
takes to feel stress lift from your shoulders.
When you record your thoughts to paper, there’s no need for
your brain to keep churning them over and over, leaving you
free to sleep well.
Get moving! Moving around can also clear your mental
clutter and get you relaxed. A trip to the gym is brill, but so is a 10-minute brisk walk or even a spot of
dancing round the house! Just put on a favourite cd and really let rip!
Try using these tips for 3 weeks and you should have
yourself a good night’s sleep.
