Can’t Sleep? Try This Mindset Trick

Do you find you can’t sleep because your brain ticks for hours when you’re trying to switch off? Your mind thinks about everything, even the most random things that you’d never think about during the day, but it’s typical that your brain wanders at night. You probably aren’t helping yourself with your sleeping habits either. And I know time disappears so quickly, and we don’t have the time to implement a proper routine, right? Well, that’s what we tell ourselves… 

Well, I have a trick for you. Now, trust the process; it may sound a little confusing at first, but that’s the point. Try it my way or adapt it to suit your way of thinking, and the key here is to redirect your focus so you are able to quieten the thoughts and switch off. This is a very personal way of dealing with a hyperactive mind, so for some it will work, and for others you will have to tailor it. But the key here is to not give up because, trust me, it’s a game changer.

I used to struggle getting to sleep as a kid; when I was younger, I was often in my head. This is why from a very young age I resorted to things like journaling, meditation, and creative outlets to release all of the tension I was carrying mentally. I remember one day, when I was struggling to sleep, I had a visualisation, and I have stuck with this visualisation ever since. Let’s get into it! This is one of my favourite conversations, so I thought, it’s time to share! 

Let’s make this easier 

If you can’t sleep regularly, your bedtime habits may be playing a bigger role than you think. Stop making your sleep routine harder than it needs to be. Easier said than done… but stop. You need to take control and prioritise it, as you’ll find you will show up much better once you’re rested. What do I mean by ‘make it easy for yourself’? I mean, stop junk scrolling until midnight every night; stop sleeping with a messy room and mugs and food left around you; drink enough water to help you stay hydrated during rest; and most importantly, create an environment that YOU feel like you can relax in. 

I know, if I ever sleep in a messy room, my brain will not be able to rest. It has to be clean and fresh for me to be able to really switch off. I’m so crazy about it that after a night out, even if I get in at 4am, I will not sleep until I have a clean room, my makeup has all been wiped off, my hair is braided and out of my face and I have silk pjs on. 

3. Romanticise with a small act 

4. Word dump 

And this last one is for all my over-thinkers out there. If you’re not someone that journals before bed, I’d suggest just either using your phone notes before you switch your phone off or a piece of paper and pen and just word dump any tasks, thoughts or emotions you have. They don’t need to be sentences. For example, tasks you know you need to do, errands, etc. write it all down in a list and put it aside and tell yourself you will pick up on it tomorrow, not now. Now is time to rest and recover. 

And that’s it. I’m not saying you need a crazy skincare routine or full-blown pamper session. I mean, if you have the time, then fab! Personally, I love creating little rituals that help me slow down and unwind. I’ve recently shared my Sunday beauty rituals and the small habits I use to reset and feel put together to prepare for the coming week. 

Try these 4 simple tasks; even if you only do one of them, that’s progress.

Ok, here’s the mindset trick

After you’ve tried those 4 things, and remember it takes time to implement these habits, so don’t be too hard on yourself, but in saying that, actually make an effort to stick to these. I would like to introduce my secret recipe to switching off a ticking mind. In other words, telling your mind and thoughts to zip it. 

Now, as I mentioned, I’ve been doing this since I was around 7 years old. My mum used to work late, and the time between bedtime and when she’d come home felt like a lifetime. I remember my brain ticking away like crazy. Whether it was scary thoughts or something traumatising my sister Kiran had told me (typical sibling love), I just couldn’t get things off my mind.

One day, I remember randomly trying something to stop it. My brain would just yap, yap, yap to itself. Counting sheep wasn’t helping, and neither was “think of happy thoughts”, as our parents would tell us.

I always saw this TV screen. I’d envision a news reporter, someone completely random that I would have no connection to, she would relay every thought I was thinking. I’d sit there watching the TV, completely separate from my thoughts in a dark room. Similar to the Matilda scene where they are all watching tv and it goes bust.

Then I’d say enough is enough and visualise myself standing up to switch it off. And that’s it.

Just like that I’d cut the connection and all that chitter chatter would disappear. Before I knew it, I was out like a light.

This has been my coping mechanism anytime I can’t sleep. I swear by this method. To this day, I still use this, especially when I’m travelling and sleeping somewhere unknown. I rarely have bedtime brain chatter, but if I do, this immediately sorts it out. For years this silly scenario puts me to sleep. It’s just me pressing a button that stops it all; my brain resets and knows it’s bedtime. I turn the pretend TV off, and it mutes. 

Be open

The next time you can’t sleep, try this mindset trick and see whether it helps quieten the noise. Find what works for you. Be open and, most importantly, listen in to the wonderful way your brain tries to control your thoughts and emotions. To this day, when I’ve mentioned it to friends, some have said it works so well; others have struggled to understand the visualisation. But know, for those who lack discipline with routine and have a busier mind, there are other ways to train your brain to switch off. It requires effort, but wow, I’m on the other end, and now I struggle to remember the feeling of a hyperactive mind. 

No more counting sheep, just a dark room, a TV presenter and an off button. 

Let me know how you get on in the comments below. 

Love,