Comment by blendo
2 years ago
I used to try and stare at the inside of my eyelids, as if looking at a TV screen. It seemed like once images started to appear, while my eyes were closed, my brain began to think it was dreaming and just gave up on being awake :-)
Hallucinationes hypnopompicae. I've had them too, and they do help falling asleep. I've had them for years, and then I got treated for anixiety and changed jobs, and – poof! – they were gone. Now I only experience them if I'm very tired or stressed. I had two friends that also saw them, but they only saw them when they were very-very stressed and didn't get enough sleep. I don't know if they are always a sign of stress, or if some people do see them naturally. My friend group is certainly screwed towards "it's a stress thing" category.
This is exactly what I do and it seems to be the most effective method I have found. It helps to get me out of whatever rumination I am having and into a more mindful state.