How To Stop Racing Thoughts At Night Using Total Presence

For many people, bedtime can be very stressful.

Especially when a critical event is coming soon, the thoughts cannot be stopped. The mind constantly projects mental movies of everything going wrong, leading to anxiety, sweating, and even panic attacks. Although sleep is vital for good living, endless thoughts prevent it.

It does not have to be this way.

End the thoughts by paying attention to your body (or breath)

Trying to silence the mind using thinking alone will only create more thoughts. Similar to trying to burn up a fire with more fire.

Instead, take your awareness to what you feel in the body right now.

When your eyes are closed, you can still feel where your hands and feet are. Focus on that particular feeling. Then move over to each body part, and then your entire body, with more attention on chronic tensions and agitated parts. You can also do breathing techniques like the physiological sigh (most effective), 4–7–8, and pranayama.

NOTE: paying attention does not mean expelling effort (a very common misconception). Rather, you simply observe, effortlessly. This effortless awareness is key for drifting off into sleep super fast.