Hi sd. Hope you're having a better day today.

I go through the same thing sometimes - waking up and feeling overwhelmed by stressful thoughts. It's horrible.

I have found that getting up and reading or watching something mindless on tv seems to help. It breaks the bad thought cycle and helps me get past it. If I can't get back to sleep after that I repeat. Sooner or later I get tired enough that I conk out.

The most important thing is to not just lay there and let yourself get all worked up. Don't wait too long - just find something else to occupy your mind.

If all else fails, see your doc about a sleep aid. Sometimes just getting back in the habit of sleeping thru the night will allow you to break this cycle.

Good luck.

The only thing I could suggest is read up on relaxation techniques to calm yourself before going to sleep. Meditation techniques can help tremendously. Watch what you're eating or drinking before going to bed.

I've had a number of night going through the same thing. When I finally wake up in the morning, poof, the worries are gone. Makes no sense that these things kept me up most of the night. I learned breathing techniques and meditation and poof, restful nights now.

Whenever this happens to me, I use a technique I call "Dumping Out", and what you do is grab a piece of paper and write down ALL of the things that are in your mind bothering you. Don't stop until you feel you have emptied out.. this will bring tremendous relief to your racing thoughts in my opinion