WHEN A BUSY MIND KEEPS YOU AWAKE

THE PROBLEM

For some of us, the nicest part of the night – falling

asleep – is a true nightmare. When we finally make

our way to bed, tired and exhausted from the day’s

adventures and all we want is to rest, this one little

voice in our head only seems to get up. It’s an active

little voice, a loud voice, an annoying voice that just

seems to be going on, and on, and on, and on about

the same thing, over and over again.

THE LITTLE VOICE

“Did I lock the door? Did I turn off the stove?”

“What will I wear to work tomorrow? Do I have fresh socks?”

“Was this guy on the bus looking at me today? I’m sure he wasn’t. Although,

there was no other girl on the bus. Oh, wait, there was this one behind me but

would he really go for THAT? I mean, she had a pretty face but her hair was so

messy. And she was biting her nails… Sure he wouldn’t go for that. Or would

he? Maybe I should ask him. No, that would be weird. But if I don’t, how do I

find out if he looked at me or not? Maybe he’s my future husband. We would

have a house at the beach and go surfing every day and play with the dog…

Aaaahh, our dog Lucy, I miss her so much. I wonder if there is a heaven for

dogs… Maybe they get unlimited bones and can run around on endless fields

and never have to have a bath…”

…As I said, this little voice just goes on, and on, and on, and on.

NOW HERE IS THE SOLUTION

If your little voice bothers you and does not let you go to sleep,

trick it.

Have a note pad and pen next to your bed that you can fit into

your purse or pocket. This way it can always travel with you.

As soon as a thought pops into your mind, write it down. Write

down all the key points you find relevant, close the book and look

at it the next morning before you have a shower, on the bus or

whenever you have a free moment.

EXAMPLE

Guy on bus• Who did he look at?• Me, girl behind me, guy, no one in particular• What did he do to make me think he looked at me?• Evaluate his actions, looks etc.

THE HAPPY VOICE

As you can see, the notes give you the basic

thought and some instructions of what to do the next

morning. Do not specify too much as this might

stimulate your little voice. As long as it knows you

will let it go into detail the next morning it is happy

and… exactly, lets you go to sleep.