Hello David, Harpbird, & everyone,
You might find soundscape recordings helpful. I've noticed some on YouTube. I bought some years ago, birdsong & such. I know there are more types out there. Sometimes they are promoted as gentle relaxation / meditation sounds to listen to or to help with sleep, but some offer sounds which I would have thought would be very unhelpful, like thunderstorms & creepy sounds. I don't mind a the sound of some light rain, but not loud or startling sounds. Some will have music too.
My problem is my verbal thoughts seem to overide these sounds while I'm wanting to focus on the sounds to help me sleep. That's why I listen to audiobooks instead.
Harpbird, the wind chime by itself, I found lovely, too, but perhaps it is too irregular. Then my neighbour at the time complained, asking me to tie it up at night, so she shouldn't hear it... for me, it felt like I was not alone,with this friendly sound occasionally chatting to me.
Maybe it wasn'thelping me sleep, but it sure was comforting.
Clear, I'm sure those thoughts will ease with time. Maybe try writing them before going to bed? I used to write all the thoughts circulating around & around, just to stop them spinning like that. I'd point at my written thoughts & say, "there, it's all there, so go let me alone so I can sleep now", rather grumpily by then. My method wasn't perfect, but I thought it helped.
(...I think it was good for getting he feelings out, exhausting myself a little more, & relieving some of the pent up tension I had just from carrying my feelings & not letting them out....)
Like distractions also might help, be it music, tv, radio, podcasts, audiobooks, soundscapes, or someone talking in one of those guided visualisation / relaxation / meditation recordings some others have mentioned here & there.
I've consistently heard the best thing for getting a good night's sleep is routine; the recommendation I struggle with the most.
Warmly, ❤️❤️❤️
mmMekitty
