My Go-To Technique for Falling Asleep When My Mind Won't Quiet Down

The other night, as I lay in bed feeling exhausted but unable to drift off, I tried my favorite technique for those restless moments. I’d been sick and needed a full night of sleep more than ever. But have you ever had those nights when your mind just won’t shut down?

I turned to a method called cognitive shuffling, and it worked wonders. Cognitive shuffling is a sleep-inducing technique rooted in psychology that can help settle your mind and make it easier to drift off.

Here’s how it works:

1. Choose a Neutral Word: Pick a simple, non-emotional word, like "sign."
2. Break It Down Letter by Letter
3. Start with the first letter. Think of other words that start with "S" (e.g., snake, sleep, store).
4. Move to the next letter, "I" (e.g., igloo, ice, intern).
5. Continue through each letter of your word.
6. Repeat with a New Word: When you finish all the letters, pick another word and repeat the process.

By the time I made it through “G” and “N,” my brain was calmer, I chose one more word and suddenly I was fast asleep.

If you’re looking for extra effective sleep techniques, check out my Sleep Better Tonight Program for more tips and tools designed to help you rest well every night, naturally.