Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

SunSeeker

(58,215 posts)
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 01:38 AM 18 hrs ago

Have trouble falling or staying asleep? Try cognitive shuffling.

Start by thinking of a word — something neutral or positive, like the word “house.” Then, think of as many words as you can that start with the first letter: horse, harmonica, honey. Try to picture each object or idea for 5 to 15 seconds, maybe even imagining a scene with yourself in it. (You’re riding a horse. ... You’re playing the harmonica. ... You’re harvesting honey!)

Beaudoin recommends against finding connections between the words. Just let the images wash over you. Whenever you find yourself having a hard time coming up with another word, move on to the next letter — in this case, o — owls, oasis, ocean and so on. Come up with images for each letter in your original word until you fall asleep. If you run out of letters before you fall asleep, pick a new word.

“It’s hard to think of random material, but this little technique helps people,” Beaudoin said. (He also developed an app called MySleepButton for people who want help with the technique.)

In addition to mimicking the kind of thinking that happens right before sleep, the method also requires a certain amount of brain power — enough to interrupt the worrying or problem-solving that often keeps us awake.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2026/03/14/insomnia-cognitive-shuffling/

Archive link: https://archive.ph/hRFaZ

5 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Have trouble falling or staying asleep? Try cognitive shuffling. (Original Post) SunSeeker 18 hrs ago OP
I do multiplication KT2000 17 hrs ago #1
lol.. whatever works, right? Cha 16 hrs ago #3
TY Kick... I take Melatonin Cha 16 hrs ago #2
My body seems to get used to melatonin; if I take it every night, it seems to lose its effect. SunSeeker 14 hrs ago #4
It does me also... and I had been on Cha 2 hrs ago #5

Cha

(318,654 posts)
2. TY Kick... I take Melatonin
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 03:45 AM
16 hrs ago

spray.. 2 sprays under the tongue and leave for 30 seconds and then Swish it around my mouth really well.

It takes 1/2 hour to an hour, and works well for me/

Good luck getting to sleep everyone

SunSeeker

(58,215 posts)
4. My body seems to get used to melatonin; if I take it every night, it seems to lose its effect.
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 05:00 AM
14 hrs ago

I haven't figured out how to space it so it remains effective.

Cha

(318,654 posts)
5. It does me also... and I had been on
Sun Mar 15, 2026, 05:47 PM
2 hrs ago

a roll when I wrote this last night, but it turns out I didn't need it last night.

I use a Pendulum to see if I need it. I know that may sound different, but not in the circles I run in.

I slept well last night anyway and will give it a rest again tonight. I'll start up again Monday night. It's tricky but sleep being so important to function, I take it very seriously.

Cheers to Sleeping Well.

Latest Discussions»Issue Forums»Health»Have trouble falling or s...