Coping skills?

[shortV]

I can’t sleep my mind is everywhere, I’m curious to know does anyone have a coping skill that works when your feeling bad?

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ShortV

You could try Breathing Techniques or Relaxation Technique, Mindfulness.

An explanation on site, also the web

Diversion Techniques can also help, have you any activities you enjoy where you are proactive

BOB

[Br275]

Short V,

If I cant fall asleep, I listen to music and try to focus on it as much as I can.

If I dont have my phone I usually sing it in my head and the song gets "louder" and I fall asleep

[Alex79]

Hi,

I'm not sure if this will work for you but it does for me. Basically whatever I'm thinking about I research untill I come up with a logical conclusion and then can move on. I would also recommend mindfulness and exposing yourself to the beauty that is around you

Thanks Alex

[kenster1]

use up a lot of energy a couple of hours before bed.then have a nice hot bath a hot chocolate to wind down before bed.

[20Voices]

Borderriever is right breathing techniques are great. However you have to practise them everyday and use them everyday.

Coping skills for not sleep include things like a sleep hygiene check. Where you look at your sleep patterns, what you do before going to bed, what your bedroom setup is like and also what you do to help get you ready for bed.

When I was a child we had a routine, supper, bath and then bed with some reading time before we went to sleep. Bedtime was always roughly the same time unless it was a special occasion. We even weren't allowed out of our bedrooms until after a certain time in the morning. As an adult I didn't have a defined sleep routine and I now see how important that is. We need our sleep and restful sleep.

Here is some ideas that work for me that may help.

Journalling - I keep a journal and write in it before I go to sleep. It allows me to get things off my mind and most importantly the last entry I make in it as to try and lit at least 3 things that have made me feel good or have been successful for me that day. I find ending the entry with a positive puts me into a good frame of mind for sleeping.

I also have a note pad for writing down issues that are playing on my mind. I write them down and remind myself that I can't do anything about them while I am sleeping and will deal with the list in the morning.

If I do have to get up I come down stairs and read a book or listen to music. I leave my bedroom so as to train myself that my bedroom is mainly for sleeping in, well apart from the other thing but that is good as well because it can help you sleep.

I also find listening to a PMR (Progressive muscle relaxation) or meditation for sleep recording helps as well. I have this on a simple walkman that has no wifi or internet connection so as to reduce the electronic devices in my bedroom. Mobile phone is left outside the bedroom and I have no TV or any computer games in there either. My ex used to play computer games at night in the bedroom and I invariably went to sleep to the sounds of gunfire and fighting from the games. Not good to a peaceful sleep.

Some people find writing down there dreams also helps.

Hope these ideas give you a place to start and are of help.

20Voices

[Tired300]

I am new to this site, so hope I don't offend anyone with my views !?

But so far I have tried everything possible in this world to get on with normal everyday life, but I have found nothing that works for me x

I am so sorry to speak with such negativity, and I am so happy to hear from people that have found a way of living life, but I feel maybe I may just be one of those people who just carry on struggling daily, but pretend to others that I'm fine!

So please, if anyone else is in a similar situation, please I would love to know what your secret is?? As so far booze, and sleeping tablets are all that get me through this daily grind x

Many thanks for all your help x

[Tired300]

Sorry I forgot to mention that I can't leave the house without a drink due to agoraphobia and severe anxiety. Thanks for listening x