Have you heard of Jim Donovan's technique of rhythmic patting & breathing? He did a TEDx talk in 2018, but I found this more recent video that just shows the technique, without as much preamble, if you or other readers want to try: https://youtu.be/8wWpA8o6IGg?
I tried this when the article first came out and it has worked some of the time. I have modified it though. I find I forget what word I'm in the middle of, and it's not very sleepy-making to be getting anxious to be sure I remember. So now I just pick a random letter, do it until I am stuck with that letter and move on. I also sometimes add an image to the word, which also feels more restful. Bloom (image of flower appears) Buggaboo (monster face) Botticelli (Venus on the half shell). In my own rules, I allow people's names, which keeps the flow going. For me, the trick is not to have this be another thing I get anxious about. I also allow words that are not the correct letter if they pop up--for example, I might be on "S" and up comes "sister" and then "cistern." I don't give myself an F for flunking the process I call it S-ish enough and go on. And I allow "forgetfulness" after "forget" if I want to. One of the fun things is that you see these patterns with words--what's with all the G words that are about being big? Giant, Gargantuan, Great.
Yes, I’ve been doing this for years now—works best when I’m on the cusp of sleep but can’t get over the edge. I like to use “rhinoceros” and then limit myself to thinking of animals or flowers for each letter. I almost never make it to the end of “rhinoceros” because I get stuck on a letter (what animal name begins with “n”?) and fall asleep!
Interesting. I may try that in the future!
Have you heard of Jim Donovan's technique of rhythmic patting & breathing? He did a TEDx talk in 2018, but I found this more recent video that just shows the technique, without as much preamble, if you or other readers want to try: https://youtu.be/8wWpA8o6IGg?
No, but I will check it out!
Thank you, I'll try it!
I tried this when the article first came out and it has worked some of the time. I have modified it though. I find I forget what word I'm in the middle of, and it's not very sleepy-making to be getting anxious to be sure I remember. So now I just pick a random letter, do it until I am stuck with that letter and move on. I also sometimes add an image to the word, which also feels more restful. Bloom (image of flower appears) Buggaboo (monster face) Botticelli (Venus on the half shell). In my own rules, I allow people's names, which keeps the flow going. For me, the trick is not to have this be another thing I get anxious about. I also allow words that are not the correct letter if they pop up--for example, I might be on "S" and up comes "sister" and then "cistern." I don't give myself an F for flunking the process I call it S-ish enough and go on. And I allow "forgetfulness" after "forget" if I want to. One of the fun things is that you see these patterns with words--what's with all the G words that are about being big? Giant, Gargantuan, Great.
Yes, I’ve been doing this for years now—works best when I’m on the cusp of sleep but can’t get over the edge. I like to use “rhinoceros” and then limit myself to thinking of animals or flowers for each letter. I almost never make it to the end of “rhinoceros” because I get stuck on a letter (what animal name begins with “n”?) and fall asleep!