[Kwaran]

For as long as I can remember, I've always had trouble falling asleep(in bed). When I'm in class or on the train I don't have this at all .
The thing is, as soon as I get in bed my mind goes crazy, I start to think about problems or I start worrying about things that could happen, stupid stuff from waaaaaay back that really doesnt matter anymore but still it upsets me if I think about it...
I was wondering if ISFJ's tend to do this. And otherwise give me some tips to calm down my mind

[teddy564339]

This happens to me sometimes, but not too often. Only when I've had a really bad day (or every now and then when I've had a really good day...I'll be too excited about it to go to sleep).

A couple of things that help me:

1. Listening to music as I go to sleep helps. It gets my mind on the song instead of whatever else is on my mind.

2. Watching or reading something I really enjoy before I go to bed helps a lot too. This helps to help cleanse my mind from whatever it was that day that bothered me, and it gives me something good t focus on too. I find that if I really immerse myself in whatever it is I'm watching or reading, I'll think about that as I go to sleep instead of the things that bothered me that day.

3. It also helps to just find something else positive to think about. This is tougher to do than #2, but it works sometimes. That's why it helps sometimes to talk to someone on IM or on the phone when I've had a day that bothers me, because it makes me feel happy and makes me feel like whatever it was isn't really that big of an issue.

4. This last one is kind of hard and takes commitment and practice, but meditation helps a lot. It helps to clear my mind before I go to sleep. Just closing my eyes, imagining myself in a peaceful, happy place, and not letting negative thoughts stay in my mind. I find if I do this some in the evenings, it makes it easier to do as I go to sleep too.


So all of those things help me.



Um...there's also a 5th one that works for me, but it probably won't help you much unless you're willing to swallow a lot of your pride, and even then, it may not do anything for you. But I uh...still sleep with my teddy bear. This is very embarrassing, being that I'm a 27 year old guy. But fuck it, this is PerC, I can share anything here. I've found that sleeping with him just calms me, makes me feel safe and happy, and just creates a cozy feeling that keeps things from bothering me.

But like I said, I know that probably won't help you much. But I felt like sharing just for the sake of it.

[Rowan]

I have issues with sleep, too. We have a love-hate relationship.....

Regardless of how physically tired I am, my mind is very much in control and seems to think bedtime is party-time

I find yoga really helps-just simple back/shoulder/neck exercises with the deep even breathing can help me become very tranquil. I don't do it enough.

Teddy, I am older than you and I sleep with my stuffed elephant.....

[Kwaran]

Ive tried all of those things (except yoga and the teddy bear thing) and found meditation helped me the most. Though it doesn't always helps as good as I want. Sometimes, when the meditation ends (or when I stop reading or turn off the music) my mind jumps back in action. Or I can't even concentrate on meditating, my mind just wanders off without noticing it.
I wish my brain had an off button
Could you guys explain how you do your meditation and yoga-exersise?

[Rowan]

I have this book-I only do the easy neck and shoulder exercises (i think it is weeks one and two). It talks about meditation as well, and factors of stress, ways of breathing-quite a bit of interesting info, actually.

Here is a link if you are interested???

Yoga for Stress Relief: A Simple and Unique Three-Month Program for De-Stressing and Stress Prevention: Amazon.ca: Swami Shivapremananda: Books

[Liminality]

I used to have a terrible time getting to sleep, had to teach myself to switch off, something about teritary Ti it's been suggested - end of the day ordering. I also find it very easy to relax on trains - though sleeping on public transport has been something I've only just started being able to do - and that's only after a pretty much sleepless night and early morning.

As a kid I'd read or fantasise until I fell asleep, mainly read. Into my teens it was reading, going through emotional stuff and sometimes getting up and move around.

When I'm at other people's houses or other people are sleeping in the same room as me I use music, and slowly turn it down, sort of a balancing background music to my mind when there's silence and my head starts to race. I too find in meditation my mind wanders without me realising it, or I start thinking more because I'm meant not to be thinking.

I do find, oddly, that I sleep better when my oldest friend shares a room (or tent ) with me, which is bizzare, because generally other people put me on edge and stop me relaxing, family members included.

I also sleep with a teddy bear x) I wonder if it's an ISFJ thing.

Having flowers by my bed helps too somehow.



So I think reading, music, or something familiar and comforting are all good.

[sts06]

I have just learned to have music or a movie (has to be a well known, very familiar one) playing softly in the room. I need the noise I think to direct my attention away from my thoughts. If It's familiar I can switch off and just go with it til I sleep.

I find soothing scents also work, so I often burn a candle for a half hour before bed as well. That will also relax my mind.

[Rowan]

You raise a great point, sts. I have an air purifier in my room that runs constantly, and that provides for some great white noise. Sleep can still be evasive, but I find that hum comforting and sometimes helpful.

[teddy564339]

I do find, oddly, that I sleep better when my oldest friend shares a room (or tent ) with me, which is bizzare, because generally other people put me on edge and stop me relaxing, family members included.

Yeah, I've noticed this is true for me too. Generally sleeping with other people around gets on my nerves, but when I'm with my best friend, it's very relaxing and enjoyable...it feels kind of nice to have someone else around.

I also sleep with a teddy bear x) I wonder if it's an ISFJ thing.

I don't think it's an ISFJ thing...I know it popped up a fair bit on the INFP forum, so if any type would be known to have a stuffed animal affinity, it would be them. There might be some connection to it being a feeler thing, though, maybe even an introverted feeler thing. Of course, like anything else, someone of any type can sleep with a stuffed animal, and gender plays probably the biggest role in it.

But I don't want to derail the thread further, so I think I'll just make a blog post about this a little later.

[Medea]

I've had trouble sleeping since high school. My mind is just so active that I end up just laying there for hours. So I read, play my game console, or exercise until I am wiped out.

I seem to get my "sleep" on the way home from work or right when I get home by zonking out for an hour.