How to Switch Off an Overactive Brain

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    Brain Switch
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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around strategies for managing an overactive brain, particularly in relation to difficulties in sleeping. Participants share various methods they use to cope with racing thoughts and the challenges they face in trying to switch off their minds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest humor or light-hearted activities, such as reading or watching cooking shows, as ways to distract from overactive thoughts.
  • Others mention physical intimacy as a temporary distraction, though its effectiveness is debated.
  • Several participants express that they struggle with sleep due to their inability to quiet their minds, with some indicating that medication has been necessary for them.
  • There are mentions of using audiobooks as a sleep aid, with some participants finding it helpful to listen to stories to drift off.
  • Some participants discuss the idea of tuning out thoughts rather than turning them off, raising questions about the nature of consciousness and self-awareness.
  • One participant humorously notes that their brain acts like a radio that cannot be turned off, while another reflects on the challenges of ignoring one's own thoughts.
  • Concerns about the side effects of over-the-counter sleep medications are also raised, with some participants sharing their experiences with different types of sleep aids.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants generally share personal anecdotes and suggestions without reaching a consensus on the best method to manage an overactive brain. Multiple competing views on effective strategies remain present throughout the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Participants express varying degrees of difficulty with sleep and managing racing thoughts, with some relying on medication while others prefer non-pharmaceutical approaches. The discussion reflects a range of personal experiences and coping mechanisms, highlighting the complexity of the issue.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals experiencing difficulties with racing thoughts, insomnia, or seeking alternative methods to manage an overactive mind may find the shared experiences and suggestions relevant.

  • #91
I don't have time to read the whole thread, but Citalopram (and occassionally 6-8 ounces of Scotch) work for me. I'll return and read the rest later.
 
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  • #92
Count Iblis said:
Why not use earplugs?

I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?
 
  • #93
Being deaf in one ear i only have to lay on my good ear to shut out noise, but i think half the problem is just knowing the noise is there.
 
  • #94
Moonbear said:
I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?

even the best 33 db foam earplugs arent that good. just make sure you have a loud alarm.

(buy your earplugs in bulk. its much cheaper)
 
  • #95
And there's a neat new alarm that I found on either 'Gizmag' or 'I Want One Of Those' (can't remember which right now). The actual alarm (audible unit) jumps off of the clock and bounces around the room until you get up and capture it.
All the more reason to sleep with a 12-gauge beside the bed. :rolleyes:
 
  • #96
granpa said:
even the best 33 db foam earplugs arent that good. just make sure you have a loud alarm.

(buy your earplugs in bulk. its much cheaper)

Still doesn't address the problem of them just plain being annoying to have in my ears.
 
  • #97
Danger said:
And there's a neat new alarm that I found on either 'Gizmag' or 'I Want One Of Those' (can't remember which right now). The actual alarm (audible unit) jumps off of the clock and bounces around the room until you get up and capture it.
All the more reason to sleep with a 12-gauge beside the bed. :rolleyes:


:smile: My students were just talking about that today! One of them was commenting how she has to set three alarms to get up in the morning, and another brought up the topic of the alarm clock that runs away from you. Since getting a cat, that happens anyway, since I usually use my cell phone as my alarm (too many power failures here to rely on a plugged in alarm clock)...Ember likes to play with the cell phone while I'm sleeping, and some mornings, I really do have to hunt for it to figure out where she's knocked it.
 
  • #98
Moonbear said:
I never would use earplugs. First, I think just having something in my ears would drive me bonkers all by itself. But, if they're soundproof enough to block out the sounds that would keep me awake, wouldn't they also block out the sound of my alarm clock in the morning?

I only need an alarm when I have to wake up earlier than usual. I then use a timer that switches on a strong light. I started to use earplugs occasionally a long time ago, only when there was a lot of noise. In the beginning I didn't like to use them. But later I found that I slept much better with earplugs, even if there wasn't a lot of noise.
 
  • #99
Count Iblis said:
I only need an alarm when I have to wake up earlier than usual. I then use a timer that switches on a strong light. I started to use earplugs occasionally a long time ago, only when there was a lot of noise. In the beginning I didn't like to use them. But later I found that I slept much better with earplugs, even if there wasn't a lot of noise.

I was using earplugs and a mask for a while because my wife likes to fall asleep to the TV and I don't.

Trouble is, I didn't sleep well because I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm in the morning...
 
  • #100
DaveC426913 said:
I was using earplugs and a mask for a while because my wife likes to fall asleep to the TV and I don't.

Trouble is, I didn't sleep well because I was afraid I wouldn't hear my alarm in the morning...

I guess my internal body clock is quite reliable. If I wake up after, say, sleeping 6 hours, I just know that I can still sleep 2 hours. If I fall asleep again I never oversleep by more than ten minutes.

I do have problems when going to bed and trying to fall asleep. Then I really don't want to know the time and earplugs are a big help. I then don't hear any clocks or church bells. These have the effect of reminding me what time it is when I'm half asleep. This resets the process of falling asleep, which is very irritating!
 
  • #101
Count Iblis said:
I guess my internal body clock is quite reliable.

Mine is quite reliable too, it's just set to wake me up a few hours AFTER I need to be at work. :rolleyes:
 
  • #102
Moonbear said:
Mine is quite reliable too, it's just set to wake me up a few hours AFTER I need to be at work. :rolleyes:

Then you should go to bed a few hours earlier. Or, perhaps you could try to get away with what http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/o...icon_taught_physics_classes_with_wit/?page=2"

Because he preferred to slip under the covers when everyone else was slipping out, Dr. Coleman eschewed morning classes. Legend has it he turned down teaching a 9 a.m. class, offering by way of explanation: "I can't stay up that late."
 
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  • #103
I am convinced that I could be locked into a room with no windows or clocks or outside information of any kind and I would get onto a schedule where I stayed up all night and slept all day.
 
  • #104
I really wish that a day was 26 hours. :D
 
  • #105
I was awake all last night thinking about fixing my dripping bathroom tap and entropy, if it weren't one it was tother, why such a mix i do not know.
 
  • #106
wolram said:
I was awake all last night thinking about fixing my dripping bathroom tap and entropy, if it weren't one it was tother, why such a mix i do not know.
Dripping taps are an http://perso.numericable.fr/cricordeau41/quatuor/english/fractal_31.htm" for the study of chaos theory.
 
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  • #107
DaveC426913 said:
Dripping taps are an http://perso.numericable.fr/cricordeau41/quatuor/english/fractal_31.htm" for the study of chaos theory.

Way cool, now i have to make a drip detector/counter.
 
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