Anxious, repetitive thoughts often contribute to insomnia.

Anxious, repetitive thoughts often contribute to insomnia. If you find yourself lying awake at night, going over the same worries over and over, try distracting yourself with something simpler. 

Concrete but pointless thoughts tend to work best. For example, you could try making mental lists of things like flowers or cars, or choose a word and then think of other things that start with the same letter. 

Visualizations might also help. Close your eyes and picture yourself walking, gliding, or swimming through a peaceful environment. Fill your imaginary surroundings with lots of vivid details like colorful objects or soothing sounds. You may shift into dreaming without realizing it.