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Let Go of Worries Before Bed

You can make sleep-disrupting thoughts disappear

By

Staying Sharp

Updated April 06, 2023

Updated April 06, 2023

A hand writing notes at an office desk at night

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Quick Win

Learning how to quiet those thoughts and replace them with positive alternatives may help you drift into sleep.

Try This Today

As you lie down in bed, think about something that brings you tranquility and peace. Focus on the thought and expand upon the details.
If a worry or stress emerges in your mind, redirect to focus on your tranquil, peaceful thoughts.
Visualize positive moments and people in your life.

Why

Clearing your mind may help you sleep, and regular, restful sleep may reduce worries. In a study of 52 adults who were repetitive negative thinkers, those who went to bed late and slept for shorter periods of time had more negative thoughts than those who slept regular hours, as reported in 2018 in the Journal of Behavior Therapy and Experimental Psychiatry.

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Legal Disclaimer: Staying Sharp, including all content and features, is offered for informational purposes and to educate users on brain health care and medical issues that may affect their daily lives. Staying Sharp is based on a holistic, lifestyle approach to brain health that encourages users to incorporate into their daily lives activities that are associated with general wellness. Nothing in the service should be considered, or used as a substitute for, medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Features including the Cognitive Assessment and Lifestyle Check-Ins, Additional Tests, exercises, and challenges assess performance at a particular moment in time on certain discrete cognitive tasks. Staying Sharp games are intended for entertainment and recreational purposes only. Various factors may affect performance, including sleep, tiredness, focus, and other social, environmental, or emotional factors. Performance is not indicative of cognitive health and not predictive of future performance or medical conditions.

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