When I can’t sleep I play the “alphabet game” in my head: I pick a random subject. Can be anything really, doesn’t have to be something I am an expert in. The other night it was “things associated with either the Commodore 64 or the Amiga”. Then I think about a fitting thing for each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z.
Sounds weird, but it works for me 99% of the time. I actually made it to Z without falling asleep only once in my whole life. In that case you can still pick a new subject and start again at A.
I could see that working. I used to do the old trick of counting sheep. I imagine each sheep running then jumping a fence. Probably never made it very far past 20.
I do this thing recently when I think of a random 1 syllable word, then think of one that goes with it. “Yard - Sale…. Ice - Pick”. I think a similar muscle is being flexed but I don’t get into any kind of narrative.
When I can’t sleep I play the “alphabet game” in my head: I pick a random subject. Can be anything really, doesn’t have to be something I am an expert in. The other night it was “things associated with either the Commodore 64 or the Amiga”. Then I think about a fitting thing for each letter of the alphabet, from A to Z.
Sounds weird, but it works for me 99% of the time. I actually made it to Z without falling asleep only once in my whole life. In that case you can still pick a new subject and start again at A.
Keeps your head occupied in a good way.
Can confirm on the efficacy of this. I’ve never gotten to Z, I think the farthest I’ve gotten was like M or N.
Some subjects I use for the alphabet game are animals, food, and countries/cities.
Whoa! I made a comment about the same game assuming no one knew about it! Crazy!
My friend’s wife does that, but just chooses a random word for each letter (no theme).
I could see that working. I used to do the old trick of counting sheep. I imagine each sheep running then jumping a fence. Probably never made it very far past 20.
It was about counting the kinds of sheep. Only works if you know kinds of sheep.
I play quizzes a lot and this sounds like an excellent way to jog the memory
I do this thing recently when I think of a random 1 syllable word, then think of one that goes with it. “Yard - Sale…. Ice - Pick”. I think a similar muscle is being flexed but I don’t get into any kind of narrative.