Connie's Corner

Thoughts before sleep....

July 23 Prompt - Write about what you think about that moment before you go to sleep.

It is not often I have trouble going to sleep. I usually read about an hour before bed, my eyelids get heavy, and I fall asleep minutes after my head hits the pillow. Thoughts of what I've been reading linger, but not for long as my mind soon draws a blank and I am out of it.

On those few occasions when I do have trouble falling asleep, I have some tricks picked up here and there that I employ to bring on the sandman. Concentrating on my breathing is number one. Usually before the fourth deep breath, I am in lalaland. If that doesn't work, I visualize a candle buring with a bright flame that gradually gets smaller and smaller until it finally is extinguished.

If I remain awake after these two maneuvers, I may as well get up and read some more, because I won't be going to sleep anytime soon.

Things that tend to keep me awake no matter what I do, fall into the unresolved problem category, usually things I have to do and am not sure of the outcome. I'm sure everyone encounters nights like this, tossing and turning with a mind that just won't shut down. I've found the best thing for this is to get up, get the old iPod, and dance to my heart's content until I am pooped. Then I get a big drink of cold water and my tired body will tell my brain to turn off, and I am able to go right to sleep. I do find, though, that it's on nights like these I dream the most and sometimes will wake up a few hours later, long before morning, impossible to return to sleep. Then, I just go with the flow and try to nap a little the next day.....

until next time...c