Sweet Dreams: The Power of a Nighttime Worry List

Do you find yourself tossing and turning in bed, your mind racing with worries and to-do lists, making it nearly impossible to slip into a peaceful slumber? You're not alone. Many of us grapple with cognitive stressors that stubbornly cling to our thoughts, especially when the lights go out. All of the distractions you have had throughout the day suddenly disappear and you are left alone, with your thoughts. You try reading or scrolling through social media, tossing and turning, but it seems no matter how tired you are, the thoughts keep coming back.

That’s because you haven’t put them anywhere else. You haven’t done anything with them so they just keep swirling. Instead of trying to outrun these thoughts or will them away, try this simple yet powerful technique:

Create a nightly worry list.

Taking a few moments to jot down your worries, thoughts, to-dos and concerns before bed can work wonders for your sleep quality. By transferring these thoughts from your mind to paper, you're essentially offloading the cognitive stressors that can wreak havoc on your sleep. This act not only declutters your mind but also gives you a tangible perspective on your concerns. Suddenly, they're not these looming, overwhelming thoughts but rather concrete issues that can be addressed or prioritized. As you complete your worry list, you're not just making a to-do list for the next day; you're giving yourself permission to release these worries for the night, allowing your mind the space it needs to relax and rejuvenate.

So, grab a notebook and pen, and give it a try and let us know in the comments how it works for you!