# Restless brain! **URL:** \ **Category:** Insomnia Help\ **Created:** [February 6, 2026, 6:22am UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107 "2026-02-06T06:22:33Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Pip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@Pip](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/Pip)\ **Post date:** [February 6, 2026, 6:22am UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/1 "2026-02-06T06:22:34Z")
I have slept badly for well over 10 years. I fall asleep as soon as my head hits the pillow ((same time every night) but after 2/3 hours sleep I wake up regularly - up to 11 times a night. After reading many articles I realise that the second I wake up my brain goes into active mode (fight or flight?). I showed my doctor my Apple Watch read out (too many orange bars) and he simply said “it’s you” and I can’t help! Charming. Any ideas on how to calm the brain when I wake up? No worries, retired, relaxed when I need to during the day. ---
**Author:** ![shapiroprice](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c77e96/32.png) [@shapiroprice](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/shapiroprice)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 2:36pm UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/2 "2026-02-10T14:36:29Z")
Hi, I’m so sorry you’re struggling with this. It’s so hard to not sleep adequately. There are so many possible reasons; so many things affect sleep. If you haven’t yet done so, look up Sleep Hygiene. There’s a list of things we can do to improve sleep, such as: eliminating any light in the bedroom (as much as possible); avoiding daytime naps; no caffeine (if you’re sensitive to it) after noon—it can linger in the system for 12 hours—and no meals at least 4 hours before bed. AND getting up at the same time each day is essential. There’s more on the list too. It also helps to have a bedtime routine you do each night that slows your mind down. Also, I use a white noise machine with ocean waves playing all night. It help me return to sleep when I wake up too early. I do all this stuff and still wake up very tired…don’t know why. But doing these things does really help. ---
**Author:** ![Pip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@Pip](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/Pip)\ **Post date:** [February 10, 2026, 6:12pm UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/3 "2026-02-10T18:12:39Z")
Hello, thanks for the reply. Apart from the white noise, I do all these things ☹. My wife’s just bought me some canua (?) pearls which I’m giving a go. I’ve tried patches to no effect. Ah well! ---
**Author:** ![RJG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/90ced4/32.png) [@RJG](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/RJG)\ **Post date:** [June 24, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/4 "2026-06-24T19:15:18Z")
Difficult yes. Have you had a look at Meredith Louden’s website / approach to sleep issues? ---
**Author:** ![Pip](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/9f8e36/32.png) [@Pip](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/Pip)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2026, 10:45am UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/5 "2026-07-09T10:45:19Z")
Thanks for this - I’ve just returned from holiday so will investigate now I have the time Cheers Pip Sanders ---
**Author:** ![ejane](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex011/user_avatar/community.sleepfoundation.org/ejane/32/243_2.png) [@ejane](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/ejane)\ **Post date:** [August 9, 2026, 10:49am UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/6 "2026-08-09T10:49:13Z")
In addition to what others have suggested, I have recently found that going outside first thing in the morning (even for just 5 minutes) helps with resetting my circadian rhythm. If you enjoy going barefoot on the grass or earth that will also help ground you. ---
**Author:** ![Lilac](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/d2c977/32.png) [@Lilac](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/u/Lilac)\ **Post date:** [October 15, 2026, 12:45am UTC](https://community.sleepfoundation.org/t/restless-brain/3107/7 "2026-10-15T00:45:06Z")
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