[xRavenx]

If you are having a really bad day, and it affects you at night, is there anything you do to feel better and more at peace before bed? I know I made a post about tips on going to sleep, but one problem of mine is feeling super angry towards myself about situations I have dealt with: absolute frustration aimed towards myself, insecurities, feeling "stuck", and I take a lot of pain out on myself. Therapy is too expensive currently, and I've had some bad experiences, so I'd rather hear from others.

One that I thought of was positive affirmations/visualization, but I'd really like to hear some others that help you feel more at peace, before going to bed. I am working now, and my anxiety gets in the way of getting adequate sleep. My mind races a lot. I don't know whether to just distract myself, or if there's something I should be doing hands-on to deal with the problem, rather than just brushing it off.

Thanks for listening. Any input is appreciated.

[emgreen]

I'm currently hypomanic...mind racing...agitated...pissy...anxious...don't know if I'll sleep tonight, either. I bit someone's head off tonight & am feeling pretty down on myself, so I know somewhat how you might feel. It sometimes calms me down to sit in my recliner (you might use your favorite chair, or couch?) & listen to some calm music in the dark. I usually fall alseep in the chair eventually, wake up two hours later relaxed & go to bed. I hope that's the case for me tonight.

Music is my escape...smooth jazz...something with no lyrics. I'll choose an album off YouTube & let it play on the computer. Two of my favorite smooth jazz pianists are Keith Jarrett & Bill Evans....but whatever works for you is what you should go with. Again...No lyrics helps me because words start my mind racing again. Good luck & sweet dreams.

[boogiesmash]

I saw a video earlier about a retired admiral addressing his sailors. He said everyone should start their day by making their beds. He went further on that completing this one task will lead to more tasks such as runn8ng drills, exercise and so on. I th8nk it may help feeling more confident. He also said if you had a rough day at least you come home to a made bed.

[99fairies]

I'm sorry you feel so much self torture. When I lay down to go to sleep is when my mind goes to weird and disturbing places. It's a hard time for me as well. big hugs.

[emgreen]

As I wrote above, when I'm having trouble sleeping/over-thinking, I fall asleep in my recliner listening to soft, lyric free music in the dark. I was able to fall asleep for two hours in the recliner, felt some peace & went to bed. Now it's two hours later & I'm fully awake again. I'm going to head back to the recliner & repeat the process, but I doubt it will work this time. This hypomania is a real pain in the rear. I wish I had the confidence that I could get a full nights sleep at some time in the future. My advice to xRavenx didn't even work for me, so I'm at a loss.

[UpDownAround]

I will put in a plug for Recovery International. It's a peer led group that is free (but a $5 donation at each meeting is encouraged) where you learn some CBT techniques to deal with stressful situations. It's like positive affirmations that you tailor to the specific situations to some degree (that's an over simplification). If there is a meeting near you, I suggest you go to one and see what you think. I just started a month or so back and I am finding it very helpful.

[Shazerac]

I know everyone gets tired of hearing this... but sometimes you just have to let it go, somehow someway. you don't have to force yourself to let it go forever, I don't try resolve the issue if I'm in bed. Sometimes it helps to write and down and then say to yourself "I'll think about this tomorrow."

Listening to relaxing music helps, or right something that's fun and interesting. I don't find reading self help books at bedtime helpful.

Originally Posted by xRavenx

If you are having a really bad day, and it affects you at night, is there anything you do to feel better and more at peace before bed? I know I made a post about tips on going to sleep, but one problem of mine is feeling super angry towards myself about situations I have dealt with: absolute frustration aimed towards myself, insecurities, feeling "stuck", and I take a lot of pain out on myself. Therapy is too expensive currently, and I've had some bad experiences, so I'd rather hear from others.

One that I thought of was positive affirmations/visualization, but I'd really like to hear some others that help you feel more at peace, before going to bed. I am working now, and my anxiety gets in the way of getting adequate sleep. My mind races a lot. I don't know whether to just distract myself, or if there's something I should be doing hands-on to deal with the problem, rather than just brushing it off.

Thanks for listening. Any input is appreciated.

I like to make sure everything is switched off, and in it's place.

it helps me know that if something went wrong (like a fire), it wouldn't have started in my room- because everything in my room is as it should be, turned off and unplugged.
it also makes me feel confident because I know i'm taking charge of my own health/ safety

watching an episode (or 2) of peppa pig

I know it sounds crazy (and it can work with any cartoon series), but in sted of thinking about anxious things and your depression, you focus on what just happened in the story (or I do anyway)

the last couple of nights (though sleepless), have been easier to cope with because of this whole peppa pig thing.

I think i'm going to name it... " the cartoon rule"

because it works with any cartoon, and I... kind of discovered it