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Top Ten Suggestions for Quieting the Restless Mind

by Verena Aibel

Do you have trouble turning off your churning mind at night or anytime else? How do you get to a state of mind that will allow you to relax and rest? Well, here are just a few suggestions from the 12-step world that could start to make a difference.

Do you have trouble turning off your churning mind at night or anytime else? How do you get to a state of mind that will allow you to relax and rest? Are you always finishing other people's sentences or caught up in formulating your response while someone else is talking to you? Don't you ever get tired of hearing your own mind chattering on and on?


I used to suffer from this kind of crazy-making behavior before I came into a 12-step recovery program. Having had a number of years in several programs, I have started to see how many of the lessons I've learned from the literature written by the founder of AA, Bill W. and others has come in really handy in day to day matters. I often think how great it would be if everyone had a 12-step program to help guide them through the twists and turns of life as well as in their own minds!


If I haven't lost you yet, hang on for just a few more minutes and imagine how great it would be to lose the incessant mind chatter, lose the committee in your head, lose the people who are renting space in your head, rent-free… Feels pretty good, huh?! Well, here are just a few suggestions from the 12-step world that could start to make a difference in your life TODAY. Or, TONIGHT. Whatever.


1. Customize Step One to Fit Your Specific Problem, Worry, Fear or Toleration.


Say: "We admitted that we were powerless over "X" (you provide the word. Examples: sleep deprivation, other people, yourself, your job, the weather, the world, or whatever else you moan and groan about) and that our lives have become unmanageable."


2. Acting Squirrelly or Feeling Jittery? Use the H-A-L-T Checklist.


Before you go to bed, make sure you aren't Hungry, Angry, Lonely, or Tired. If you are, address the situation directly.


3. Act As If.


Sometimes you may not REALLY believe today or tomorrow is going to be any better than yesterday or last night was. Discover how powerful "acting as if" today is already the best day possible and imagine that tomorrow could be GREAT if you let it be! Act as if you are already experiencing a better state of mind or state of affairs.


4. Stick With the Winners.


Observe people who are calm, serene, quietly confident, service-oriented, gentle leaders. Practice connecting with them by reaching out and asking for phone numbers or email addresses and use them! Let people know you're out there. You are not alone!


5. Chose to Accept Yourself, Everyone, and Everything Around You Exactly the Way It Is.


You may not believe it yet, but eventually you might come to believe that everyone does have a power greater than themselves (a Higher Power, Spirit, Universal Energy, Goddess, God, Nature, etc.) and YOU'RE NOT IT! So, give it up! And just think, there may be a greater, better, more wonderful plan for you than even You could dream up!


6. Develop an Attitude of Gratitude.


Keep a gratitude journal. Write 5 NEW things everyday/night! This will expand your vision and you will begin to see many, many things to be grateful for. Remember, it's all about how you chose to look at the world. Attitude and where you focus your attention matters.


7. Abstain From Acting Out In Whatever Form You Tend To, Just For Today.


8. Stay in The Day.


Remember where your feet are planted. Do whatever it takes to get yourself grounded. Go outside and sit or lie on the ground if you have to!


9. Take a daily inventory and see how well you did or didn't do.


Make a vow to make things right as soon as you can. Don't let things fester!


10. Let Go of Worries and Misery, Just for Today.


Hand them over to your personal deity or protector doll or image. Give it a rest. It will only get messier if you dwell on things you can't do anything about today. If nothing seems to work, seek professional help or explore alternative healing modalities and activities such as yoga for rest and relaxation.