Worry-Buster Bedtime Routine
Sleep is key to our health and to managing stress and anxiety. Yet, it’s those whirlwind worries right before bed that can keep us from settling down and getting a good night’s sleep. Trying to pretend they’re not there just makes them worse, and attending to them too much puts our mind in a tailspin.
Create a worry busting bedtime ritual
- Start 30 minutes before you want to go to sleep.
- Do something relaxing – like taking a warm shower, drinking tea, or meditating.
- Write down any thoughts or feelings that are bothering you. Don’t judge them or try to solve them, just jot them down, but be as specific as you can.
When our worries are general and vague, that’s when they feel overwhelming. When we make them concrete and put them on paper, we’re telling our mind that these things are manageable and can be put aside until we deal with them later.
You can also write down those thoughts throughout the day, keeping a running journal. Because concreate worries are less anxiety-provoking, we’re more likely to find solutions.
