Yeah, I barely slept too—my mind just kept running through “what ifs.” I tried to save money by skipping the fancy calming teas and just watched dumb TV instead. Did anyone else find cheaper ways to chill out before?
I actually tried those “sleep” podcasts where someone just talks about clouds or rain for an hour. Didn’t cost a thing—just had to ignore the ads. Not sure it worked every time, but sometimes I’d wake up with my headphones still on... so maybe?
I tried the same kind of thing before my implant surgery—those rain sounds and “sleep stories” with people describing rivers or forests. I kept thinking, “Is this really doing anything?” but honestly, after a few nights, I noticed I was a little less anxious before bed. The ads were a pain, though. Sometimes I’d get jolted awake by some loud commercial right in the middle of the calm stuff. Still, for free, it was worth a shot. I ended up pairing that with deep breathing to get through the pre-op nerves... not perfect, but better than nothing.
Yeah, those sleep apps are a double-edged sword. The rain sounds help, but then—bam—a car commercial ruins the whole vibe. I actually found white noise worked better for me, just a steady hum instead of nature stuff. Deep breathing is clutch though, especially when your mind starts running through every “what if.” Not a magic fix, but it definitely took the edge off for me before my braces adjustments and later with my implant.
That’s exactly what I’m worried about—my brain just won’t quit overthinking, especially the night before. I’ve tried those rain sounds, but yeah, it’s like you finally start to relax and then some random ad pops up... instant stress. White noise is interesting though, I might have to give that a shot. Deep breathing helps a bit for me, but I end up second-guessing if I’m doing it “right,” which is kind of ironic. Did you ever try guided meditations, or was it mostly just breathing and noise for you?