11/24/2025
When my clients have this issue, I give them very similar suggestions. Ultimately, what's most helpful is for the brain to focus on something benign that also requires a little effort, like assigning a number to every letter of the alphabet and then spelling people's names with numbers. Usually, people are back to sleep well before each letter has a number. I also suggest an exercise that's rooted in EMDR called the container exercise. Where you have an imaginary container with a lid, and you go through an entire process of imagining yourself walking to the container, describing it in great detail, using all five senses, and then quickly naming the distracting thoughts you're having and putting them in the container. You then close the container and put it away. Every time there's a new thought or even emotion, you go through the process again. It's quite boring, detailed, and therefore effective. I do this one myself, and it's my ace in the hole. Pro-tip- Make sure the container and where you're keeping it have neutral to positive associations.
If you're reading this at night while trying to fall asleep, perhaps give it a go. Let me know how it worked out for you. Sleep well!
If racing thoughts are stealing your sleep, these strategies can help you calm your mind and get more rest.
