When Your Brain Won't Let You Sleep

For those times when your brain has decided it's not time to sleep because we have 47 things to think about! Instead of trying to force your thoughts to stop, we're practicing giving your attention somewhere gentle to land. A calming meditation for racing thoughts, busy ADHD brains, rumination, and mental overload.

Tags: ADHD, Racing Thoughts, Overthinking, Anxiety, Sleep, Mindfulness, Relaxation, Neurodivergence

Transcript

Welcome. This meditation is for those moments when your brain has decided that bedtime or quiet time is the perfect opportunity to remember every bad conversation you've ever had. Maybe you are replaying something, Planning tomorrow. Solving a problem. You don't need to make your brain stop. We're just going to give it something to do. So. Find a comfortable position. And begin by noticing three things you can hear. Don't search for perfect sounds. Just notice. 1. Belly grumbles, Two, Kitty screeches, Three, Rustling leaves. Now, Notice two things you can physically feel. Maybe there's a fuzzy blanket underneath you, Or you're clothing against your skin. Maybe it's the temperature of the air. Just notice some things. And now, Focus on one thing that you can see. If your eyes are closed, You can imagine a familiar object. A layout. TREE your ceiling. Could be anything. Congratulations, You have just brought your attention into this moment. And inevitably, Your brain may leave again, But that's okay. Brains wander, Especially ADHD brains, And especially when we're tired, Stressed, Excited, Worried, Or overstimulated. So. Instead of trying to force your attention to stay, We're going to practice returning. When a thought appears, Try saying, I'm thinking. Not, Why am I thinking this? Not, I shouldn't be thinking about this. Just. I'm thinking. And return to that something you can feel. You might notice your breath. The weight of your body. The sounds around you. Just give your attention somewhere gentle to land. When your brain starts planning tomorrow. If it starts replaying yesterday. If it starts solving a problem that absolutely cannot be solved at midnight. I'm safe. And return. You don't need to win against your thoughts. You don't need to quiet them. You don't need to get somewhere. Every time you notice and return. You are practicing. Take a slow breath and let yourself remember a busy mind is not a moral failure. A wandering mind is not a broken mind. You do not have to be perfectly calm to be okay. When you're ready, Allow yourself to continue resting. And if sleep comes, You don't have to finish this meditation. You can simply let yourself go.