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"Busy Brain" Is this normal?

(35 Posts)
TriciaF Thu 03-Jul-14 19:10:25

Your description of trying to get to sleep - happens to me too, 4 nights out of 7. And the persistent tunes. The other 3, too exhausted to think about it. It's not as if I have weighty problems on my mind, TG.
I find it does help if I have something to eat, eg toast and jam, just before going to bed, plus a hot bath.

Purpledaffodil Thu 03-Jul-14 19:04:49

As Mishap has said, mindfulness techniques are good for racing brains. I have a book for my Kindle app which incorporates sound files to guide you. Have never tried anything like this before, dismissed it as smoke and mirrors TBH. However it is useful to have something to try when you can't drift off. flowers

GillT57 Thu 03-Jul-14 18:50:53

Sorry Radio 4, not Radio $, this is another example of not concentrating on what I am doing.....

GillT57 Thu 03-Jul-14 18:50:14

I am the same, and at night I have Radio $ ( then the World service) burbling quietly in the background, and if I wake up I try to concentrate on whatever is on, but inevitably will doze off again. BUT, during the day, I have found that lately I tizzy about doing a load of half jobs, leaving things half finished, and in terms or running a business, this is a bit of a disaster to be honest, leaves me fretful and worried, but just cant seem to get a grip.

Nelliemoser Thu 03-Jul-14 18:32:29

Phoenix stress may play a part. You have had more than your fair share of late. Have a brew and relax.

Mishap Thu 03-Jul-14 18:30:40

phoenix I think this is very common. I have a particular problem when I have been participating in a choir, or rehearsing my own group - my brain soaks up the songs and will not let them go! And at the same time I am reading and have other things buzzing around in my head.

When this happens at night I put on a relaxation CD and float away on that. And mindfulness techniques help, as they train you to focus on one thing at a time. You can download stuff from the net. The important thing to remember is that you have to learn these techniques and they do not come instantly - many people get annoyed with them because the idea is to focus on one thought or idea, and they find their minds wandering and think they have "failed" - it is not failure, but just that you have to practice.

If it is not bothering you, then you can just ignore it; if it is an irritation to you then I hope you will find these ideas helpful.

Above all else, please be reassured that it is in no way abnormal. It often happens when someone has had a lot of stress in their lives - I think you qualify! The adrenaline pumps around when it is not wanted or needed and sends the brain fizzing. Relaxation exercises can settle that down.

Good luck!

merlotgran Thu 03-Jul-14 18:26:10

I'm the same, phoenix. My brain can cover two or three things while I'm trying to get to sleep. If I'm gardening I usually have a tune in my head and while I think about what I'm doing I can plan recipes and complete a shopping list at the same time.

I usually appear calm and laid back when chatting to other people but my brain is racing ahead.

While typing this I've planned DGSs birthday barbecue.

Sorted!

Ana Thu 03-Jul-14 18:21:32

Yes. Completely normal.

jinglbellsfrocks Thu 03-Jul-14 18:15:17

You are highly strung. Some people just are. Try plugging radio 4 into your ear holes at night. Works for me. (I am highly strung too) #specialpeople

Anne58 Thu 03-Jul-14 18:09:49

Evening all, feel a bit daft posting this, and am not sure if I'm going to be able to describe it properly, so please bear with me.

Quite often I seem to have 2 or 3 "strands" going on in my brain at once, for example there will be a song, complete with words and tune, while I'm also having "overlaid" thoughts about things to do, shopping lists etc plus other thoughts. I notice it especially when trying to get to sleep. I always read for a while on going to bed, wait until I feel drowsy then put the book down and turn off the light. I always hope that I will drift off fairly quickly, but the busy brain starts. It does happen at lots of other times too, but I notice it particularly when trying to get to sleep.

it doesn't seem to be just the normal "oh I must remember to do that" sort of thing, it's more complex, but hard to explain.

I think I have mentioned before that it has been said (mainly with regard to my sense of humour) by other people that my brain seems to be wired differently, but this does worry me.