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

I've always found that the best way to get away from feelings like this is to detach completely. I go on youtube and put on an ambient or relaxation playlist, clean the room as much as possible, make sure everything in my immediate area is secured, and lay down. I can usually parse my feelings at this point.

Create an evening routine that follows up to bedtime. Doing this routine will remind your body in the future when to get tired. Also, cutting off cell phone use/television/hearing bad news before going to bed can help.

There are several good things that you can do. One thing is, if you're worrying about remembering things for tomorrow, you can keep a piece of paper and a pen next to your bed and write things down. That way, you don't have to focus on that anymore. If it's general stress/anxiety, you could try progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing exercises. Feel free to check out our self-help guide on sleeping well....it has some great ideas also!! https://www.7cups.com/sleeping-well/

Well if this has been constant you should probably see a doctor or a councillor. They are able to provide you with therapy or sleeping pills

Well. Whenever I csnt shut off my thoughts as you put it before I go to sleep I play relaxing music to try to help calm me. And I also try to think about good things that happened and avoid the bad thoughts.

In fact it is nearly impossible to shut off thoughts. don't try to stop. just observe them without involve emotionally. you feel light. then try to remember your happy movements for couple of minutes and then try to count 100 to 0 slowly.. very slowly.... very very slowly... . I hope you never come up to zero, because, in between you already fallen in tot deep sleep. It helped a lot of people. Why not for you?

Try to drink manzanilla tea it helps you to relax and sleep comfy, try to clear out your mind for a while

I myself have the same problem, I usually start by watching a some tv and lighting a lavender scented candle (They are proven to enhance sleep), to get my mind off the things that are stressing me out I avoid talking to any people that have to do with that a couple hours before laying down.. and I think about all the productive things I have done, and rather than thinking about all the things I have to do the next day I think about one thing and how I can get it done to avoid anxiety.

Try to meditate, take a deep breath and focus to it. Then listening with a relaxing music will be helpful too. Don't be afraid to anything that's negative, just see it as a normal matter that can't be avoided and remove the thinking of "What IFs!" because after all if you fail, then it isn't the end.

Personally i listen too music or even a film too tire me out a bit of background noise will help shut of thoughts!