I'm stressed out and when I try to go to sleep I can't shut off my thoughts. What should I do?

Talking to someone you trust such as a close friend or family member would be the best option. You can let out your frustrations and confide in them about why and how you're stressed. You should find that it is a great relief to just let it all out and perhaps receive some helpful advice from a trusted source.

There are things I found to help the most with this issue. Before going to bed have a journal at your bedside and before laying down to sleep write down anything that's in your head and get it all out on paper before trying to fall asleep. OR you can try meditating, this may take practice you may not see huge results right off the bat but it does help the first time.

Try this, close your eyes and just watch your thoughts, do not judge them, whatever thought appears just watch it come and go.

Shut off your electronics, and breathe. Maybe try putting some relaxing sounds on, like a thunderstorm or beach noises. Close your eyes, and breathe at a calm pace.

Write them down, it would almost be like asking to someone and you get to get everything off your chest and enjoy a good nights sleep!

I recommend writng a diary. It doesn't matter if it's long entry of the day or just some thoughts.. It's also good to tell about your feelings someone. (7 Cups' listener, friend or family member). A short meditation also help.

Stress is something all of us deal with in our lives. As a student of the sciences I'm often stressed out due to projects and research work. I've found that laying in the dark and performing deep breathing exercises for a few minutes helps a lot. Additionally, cut off caffeine consumption at night and refrain from using your phones/laptops/tablets etc for at least 20 mins before sleeping.

I find that most will try to force themselves to shut down, however, I find it much more rewarding to acknowledge the thoughts that occur instead of invalidating them. Your thoughts make you human, and I believe if you give them your attention it could help. Set a time limit. Maybe five minutes to validate the thoughts in your head and make them feel welcomed. When the five minutes is up, wish them a good night. If they continue to other you, write them down.

Electronics add to the stress. Its hard to calm down when we have bright lights, sounds, notifications , background noise. All this takes away from our inner peace subconsciously. Limit phone use, start by keeping it out of the bathroom and shower and your car. Learn to be alone with the self. Try looking for the nighttime mode on electronics that take the blue light out of the screen. Keep your phone across the room if you are trying to sleep. Put it on "Do not disturb mode", Read a book or journal, something that doesn't involve electronics. This might be hard.

As someone with both anxiety and insomnia, and who has seen a CBTi (cognitive-behavioral therapist for insomnia), one of the best things you can do when you can't sleep when you have racing thoughts is to get out of bed. The reason why this is important is that you need for your brain to subconsciously associate your bed with sleep, not worry time. So what do you do when you get out of bed? Get into another room, and do something that doesn't involve your phone or screens in any way. Read a book, draw, journal, something that is soothing. For stressed thoughts, I highly recommend journaling or light yoga. Then when you are sleepy again, go back to bed. Also, waking up at the exact same time every day (even on the weekends) can help get you into a more stead rhythm for sleep hygiene as well.