Ned help with falling asleep quicker

**LDleader** · 10-19-2014 05:23 PM

I've been using ssild for a little more than a week now and have been finding it harder to fall asleep quickly. Even when I don't do the cycles it takes me about 30 minutes to fall asleep. When I do wake up to do the cycles it usually dosent take long, but a couple times it took like 10 minutes. I'm pretty sure that this isn't normal, so does anyone have some advice to fall asleep quicker before and after ssild.

**Rothgar** · 10-20-2014 12:34 AM

I don't know if I can explain this very well, but I learned the "discipline" to stop my mind from thinking about anything. If it starts to wander, I shut off the thoughts. I discovered if you can do that you fall asleep almost immediately. I don't think it is that hard to do...you just have to learn what thinking nothing is like. I suspect the brain goes into sleep mode when conscious thinking stops. I am also curious if anyone else does this or if this is an unusual technique.

The downside is I can't WILD doing this because you have to keep some mental process active for WILD...so I just sleep and hope for DILD.

**Rothgar** · 10-20-2014 02:30 AM

I don't know if I can explain this very well, but I learned the "discipline" to stop my mind from thinking about anything. If it starts to wander, I shut off the thoughts. I discovered if you can do that you fall asleep almost immediately. I don't think it is that hard to do...you just have to learn what thinking nothing is like. I suspect the brain goes into sleep mode when conscious thinking stops. I am also curious if anyone else does this or if this is an unusual technique.

The downside is I can't WILD doing this because you have to keep some mental process active for WILD...so I just sleep and hope for DILD.

**Noell** · 10-20-2014 08:08 PM

If thinking about nothing doesn't work for you, then maybe you could try what I used to do: Lay in bed and daydream. Think about something that you like or would like to do, like maybe include yourself in a book or tv show, or pretend you are on an adventure in a fantasy world.

Even when I wanted to stay awake longer to continue my daydream, I would always fall asleep within a few minutes. I don't know if this would work for everyone, though, as I can usually go to sleep quickly.

Another part of my ability to fall asleep so soon is wearing earplugs. I have found that wax or clay earplugs work best and they keep background sounds from bothering me. They also cause my breathing to sound kind of loud in my ears. I think the repetitive sound of breathing helps drown out background noise, as well.

**Bobblehat** · 10-20-2014 08:27 PM

Yes, I can do that sometimes Noell. What is of interest is getting the right intensity of daydream. Get too involved and you stay awake. Once HHs start weaving into the daydreams I know I am on the way.

**dolphin** · 10-21-2014 01:04 AM

Originally Posted by Rothgar

I don't know if I can explain this very well, but I learned the "discipline" to stop my mind from thinking about anything. If it starts to wander, I shut off the thoughts. I discovered if you can do that you fall asleep almost immediately. I don't think it is that hard to do...you just have to learn what thinking nothing is like. I suspect the brain goes into sleep mode when conscious thinking stops. I am also curious if anyone else does this or if this is an unusual technique.

I do this exact same thing as well.

To discipline your mind to stop thinking, try thinking "don't think" every time you catch your mind wandering. Try to go incrementally longer without thinking.

**LDleader** · 10-21-2014 01:12 AM

I've tried that Same thing Noell, but it just ended up making me more awake :/

**SinisterDezz** · 10-22-2014 04:29 AM

I am seriously glad to know I am not the only one daydreaming when falling asleep.

I just picked up the practice on my own a few weeks ago. Works like a charm. Can't go too deep, or else you will get caught up with the fantasy,

**Keitorin** · 10-28-2014 03:35 AM

I daydream myself to sleep a lot too! Usually when I'm really into a media and come up with 'what if' plots for it. Even when I'm really immersed in a daydream, before I know it, I've fallen asleep.

Another technique I've been successful with is not necessarily thinking of 'nothing', but gently pushing away thoughts as they pop up, or telling myself 'it can wait until later/tomorrow'. "I wonder what I'll eat for breakfast...oh, it can wait 'til tomorrow." Sometimes I imagine a thought going into a black void, or dispersing into the air. The times between thoughts gets longer until I start dozing.

I also notice that when I'm too warm, I tend to fidget, am not able to get comfortable and these techniques are hard to focus on.

**Noell** · 11-01-2014 05:26 PM

I think instead of allowing your mind to wander, daydreaming before bed forces you to focus your mind.

LDleader, have you tried reading a book before going to sleep? I think any type that is not too interesting might work.

**Seltiez** · 11-01-2014 06:49 PM

I how very good self hyptonize technique for falling asleep.
When you go to sleep just lay down anyway you want. Then say to yourself that you dont have to do,think,feel anything all you have to is just be. Then try not to pay attetention to anything just lay there and dont focus on any sound or any thought. Dont pay atention to your thoughts. Let your thoughts run wild but dont pay attention to it.
I fall asleep really fast this way. I havent had any problems falling asleep while learning this.

**Noell** · 11-01-2014 08:48 PM

That sounds interesting, Seltiez.

I just stumbled across some helpful advice on a website about mindful sleep: Mindful Sleep | Psychology Today

"A simple meditation for sleep that was recommended by Kabat-Zinn is to focus on the breath while lying in bed as you are preparing to go to sleep. Follow the breath moving into and out of the body. As you are being aware of the breath just allow yourself to sink into the bed with each breath. He further suggests imagining breathing out to the ends of the universe and breathing from there back into your body.

By taking this mindful attitude, sleep is facilitated by simply being aware of the moment-to-moment experience of relaxing into the bed, without judging or being critical of that experience, so that the mind can gently slip into sleep. Practice of mindfulness meditation during the day can help focus the mind and decrease stress by reducing negative thoughts about the past and needless worries about the future. And that, combined with bedtime relaxation, can help you get the Zzzzs you’ve been looking for."