Over-thinkers, this one is for you!
Is it just me, or does the clock come to a screeching halt when you have something on your mind? I'm a firm believer that good things come to those who go after them, but there comes a time when you simply have to wait -- wait for the phone to ring, wait for the water to boil, wait for an answer. As someone with the patience of a four year old child, these moments in life do not bode well for me. As such, I have come up with a couple of simple ways to ease a restless mind (even when I'm trying to fall asleep!).
Do something for YOU. The time is going to pass anyway, why not spend it doing something that makes you feel amazing -- or at least calmer? Pop some popcorn and watch a movie, take a long walk, get busy in the kitchen, or go get a massage. Do something that soothes your soul to help pass those minutes that feel like hours. Put whatever it is that's plaguing you out of your mind while you do it.
Dive into a good book. I recently went through a period of weeks on end where my mind was running circles around the proverbial hamster wheel. Seriously, WEEKS. I had goals, but no life energy to put into achieving them. I wanted answers, but my phone was silent. Time was moving in slow motion and I was running backwards on life's treadmill. I didn't think I had the attention span to focus on reading a book, what with my mind going in ten different directions, but I decided to give it a try. I chose an autobiography written by an actress who absolutely fascinated me (Judy Greer, if you're interested), forced myself to concentrate for the first couple of minutes, and before long my mind had quieted and I was lost in someone else's world for a little while.
Put your phone away. I know you probably think the last thing you should do when you're waiting for the phone to ring is put it away. But I have to tell you, it is so calming not being surrounded by technology for an hour. If your phone is not in front of you to keep checking, it can't drive you crazy -- out of sight, out of mind. Put it away or turn it off, and focus on something else for a little while. I am without my phone for at least thirty intentional minutes daily, longer if I have a lot on my mind. I also have my phone set to automatically go into "do not disturb" mode between the hours of 11:30 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. By the time you go back to it, chances are there will be a few messages waiting for your attention that will give you something else to focus on.
Concentrate on your breathing. I don't normally have trouble sleeping, but when I do, this trick is foolproof. Focusing solely on each inhale and exhale leaves you with little choice but to let all of your other thoughts go. Next time you find yourself with a touch of insomnia, mind racing, try to settle on your breath and let everything else fall by the wayside. In my experience, you won't have to focus too long because it takes effect quickly.
I have a very full and rewarding life, but with that comes an overactive imagination and a mind that's always working. Sometimes, I just wish my brain would be quiet already and give me some peace! Truthfully, I wouldn't change a thing, but during those times that my mind is moving but the clock isn't, I turn to one of these tricks for temporary relief.