When you can't fall asleep, try this...

[Selkie]

Just a trick I stumbled upon one night when I couldn't sleep. It works for me, and I thought maybe it would work for others:

--Make yourself comfortable in bed, facing away from any light. The room doesn't have to be perfectly dark, but you should face away from any light, like a streetlight, bright moonlight, the alarm clock, etc.

--Remaining relaxed, keep your eyes half-open and allow your gaze to become completely unfocused.

When I can't sleep and I remember to do this, I am asleep within 10 mins. I don't know why it works. I only know that it does...at least for me.

I hope it works for you, too

[Constance]

Thanks for that Selkie A very practical suggestion that I will add to my toolkit.

I couldn't sleep at all last night!

I just about tried everything: self-hypnosis, EFT, acupressure, kinesiology, tension and relaxation, getting up for a while, tucking my left hand under my right armpit, breathing exercises, rewound my day, drank cherry juice, simulated REM, tried to stay awake, etc etc etc. All to no avail.
I just think that last night was clearly for contemplation

By the way, I love the way you titled the thread. It is a great way to start a thread because people can use it as a database.
Sleep is such a critical part of our lives

[Selkie]

Posted by breal (here)
Thanks for that Selkie A very practical suggestion that I will add to my toolkit.

I couldn't sleep at all last night!

I just about tried everything: self-hypnosis, EFT, acupressure, kinesiology, tension and relaxation, getting up for a while, tucking my left hand under my right armpit, breathing exercises, rewound my day, drank cherry juice, simulated REM, tried to stay awake, etc etc etc. All to no avail.
I just think that last night was clearly for contemplation

By the way, I love the way you titled the thread. It is a great way to start a thread because people can use it as a database.
Sleep is such a critical part of our lives

Thanks, breal I hope it works for you.

[DeDukshyn]

That's how I induce the fractal visualizations of "potential". Also when I do that is when I can see the "shadow creatures"

Here's a neat trick to try: get in a darkened silent room, light a candle and meditate while staring at the candle. Breath and relax and keep meditating on the candle for about 5 minutes, and do not adjust your gaze from the candle or move. After 5 minutes, gently close your eyes about 75% and blow out the candle and just breathe and relax. While it won't work for everyone, and usually only works once, you will know if it works or not

PS this one won't help you sleep, but is something neat to try.

[Rhah]

I've been having problems falling asleep since I was about 10 years old, and what do you know? I've never thought of trying this. Thanks Selkie. I'll try and see if it works!

[araucaria]

I usually go to bed with something I am thinking about, and these semi-awake states are often when the real work is done and come morning I can compose a forum post. So I welcome these moments. But it does happen very occasionally (like last night!) that I am a little too wide awake; I use the same process but it is a bit more laborious, and less enlightening as well.

[ulli]

Posted by Selkie (here)
Just a trick I stumbled upon one night when I couldn't sleep. It works for me, and I thought maybe it would work for others:

--Make yourself comfortable in bed, facing away from any light. The room doesn't have to be perfectly dark, but you should face away from any light, like a streetlight, bright moonlight, the alarm clock, etc.

--Remaining relaxed, keep your eyes half-open and allow your gaze to become completely unfocused.

When I can't sleep and I remember to do this, I am asleep within 10 mins. I don't know why it works. I only know that it does...at least for me.

I hope it works for you, too

Telling myself to not close my eyes has been my solution to sleeplessness for decades.
I never met anyone who also figured this out.

I believe it works because of a combination of boredom and rebellion.
Your conscious mind gives the order to stare at nothing, and the instinctive body decides "to hell with this",
goes into rebellion mode and decides it NOT going along with the BS, and sinks into rest and sleep.
It may have to do with the energy that is connected with a rebel stance.

[Selkie]

Posted by ulli (here)

Posted by Selkie (here)
Just a trick I stumbled upon one night when I couldn't sleep. It works for me, and I thought maybe it would work for others:

--Make yourself comfortable in bed, facing away from any light. The room doesn't have to be perfectly dark, but you should face away from any light, like a streetlight, bright moonlight, the alarm clock, etc.

--Remaining relaxed, keep your eyes half-open and allow your gaze to become completely unfocused.

When I can't sleep and I remember to do this, I am asleep within 10 mins. I don't know why it works. I only know that it does...at least for me.

I hope it works for you, too

Telling myself to not close my eyes has been my solution to sleeplessness for decades.
I never met anyone who also figured this out.

I believe it works because of a combination of boredom and rebellion.
Your conscious mind gives the order to stare at nothing, and the instinctive body decides "to hell with this",
goes into rebellion mode and decides it NOT going along with the BS, and sinks into rest and sleep.
It may have to do with the energy that is connected with a rebel stance.

That is not implausible, Ulli.

As I was laying in bed last night waiting to fall asleep, I wondered if it works (for me) because its a form of self-hypnosis? The unfocused gaze leads to trance. Add the self-suggestion to sleep, and bingo, I go to sleep.

[Mike Gorman]

Thank you for the tip, I sometimes feel so 'full' of thought I can't turn off the mind - i will try this next time!
We understand so little about sleep, and it is one third of our lives, our subconscious is obviously accessing some vast ocean of images and stories which we vitally need.

[annacherie]

I had a little trouble falling asleep last night too. It seems there is a threshold, a period of time within my routine that if passed then lost where my body would normally just take over and let go by habit. Part of that routine is to read a little in bed before falling asleep. Every night my kitty joins my reading routine and entraining/syncing up my brain with hers through touch helps.

[genevieve]

Thanks for the suggestions, Selkie et alia.

Here's another that always works for me within a few minutes (although I must say I rarely have trouble falling asleep):

Get comfortable, low or no light, close eyes.
Imagine a blue sky.
Let any thoughts you have transform into clouds passing by.
Keep focusing on the beautiful blue sky.
ZZZZzzzzzzz.


Peace Love Joy & Harmony,
genevieve

[conk]

Posted by ulli (here)
...I never met anyone who also figured this out....

I also do this. Simply tell myself that I will not close my eyes, staring at the corner of the room. Next thing I realize it is morning. Works wonderfully well.

[sunpaw]

I had a few nights this week where I couldn't fall asleep - which is rather unusual for me.
Most often I lay down and sleep within a minute.

I use ear plugs and even though the room is completely dark I use a scarf tied over my eyes.
It helps me to relax. I still hear though - through the skull, so I still get the alarm clock.
I tend to sleep with my eyes open during the night. When I lay down and relax the eyes start to open. Even though the room is pitch black dark - I perceive my surrounding as in daylight. So covering my eyes helps to keep my eyes close. I still feel the reflex of opening, but feeling the scarf and have closed eyes - might trigger 'nothing to see - sleep!'.
I also have a neodym magnet placed under my pillow - which seems to have a calming effect too, with deep resting sleep.

[mrgahan]

Since i've been using orgonite in my bedroom I have not have many sleepless night any more.