Do you ever find yourself lying in bed, mind racing with thoughts, unable to drift off into a peaceful slumber? If so, you're not alone. I too have struggled with bouts of insomnia starting when I was in the 7thgrade.

Many people struggle with quieting their minds at night, making it difficult to fall asleep. While traditional methods like meditation and deep breathing can be effective, there's another, perhaps unexpected, technique that may help: inner-monologue nonsense words. What are inner-monologue nonsense words, you ask? They're essentially made-up, nonsensical words that you create and repeat silently to yourself in your mind. These words have no inherent meaning or significance; they're purely a tool to redirect your thoughts away from the endless stream of worries, to-do lists, and anxieties that often plague our minds at night.

Here's how it works:

· Create Your Nonsense Words: Start by inventing a few simple nonsense words. They can be as whimsical and outlandish as you like. The key is to make them easy to remember and pronounce, so they flow effortlessly in your mind. Examples could include, "Zib," "Flub," "Quix," "Bingle," "Dink."

· Focus on the Sound: As you lie in bed, close your eyes and begin silently repeating your nonsense words in your mind. Pay attention to the rhythm and sound of the words as you say them. Let them roll around in your head without trying to attach any meaning to them.

· Redirect Your Thoughts: Whenever you notice your mind starting to wander or latch onto a troubling thought, gently bring your focus back to your nonsense words. Let them become a soothing mantra that drowns out the noise of your racing thoughts.

· Embrace the Absurdity: Don't worry about how silly or nonsensical your words may seem. The goal here isn't to make logical sense—it's simply to distract your mind and lull yourself into a state of relaxation.

· Repeat as Needed: Continue repeating your nonsense words for as long as it takes for you to feel your mind beginning to quiet and your body relaxing. You may find that you drift off to sleep surprisingly quickly once you've redirected your focus away from your worries.

So why does this seemingly strange technique work? One reason may be that it engages your brain in a low-stakes, creative activity, effectively crowding out the more intrusive and anxiety-inducing thoughts that can keep you awake. Additionally, the rhythmic repetition of the nonsense words may have a calming, hypnotic effect, helping to quiet the mind and induce a state of relaxation conducive to sleep.

I decided to write about this sleep technique for my July 2024 Blog, because it was a skill for insomnia that I had never heard of before until a recent conversation with my ninety-six-year-old grandmother. I was telling her that I had another sleepless night, and she said, “Try reciting the word ‘noom,’ over-and-over and you’ll fall right to sleep!” All I could say was, “I’m sorry; what?”

She explained that a doctor once told her, many years ago, that reciting a nonsense word like ‘noom’ can help re-direct your thoughts and help you fall to sleep quickly. My grandma went on to explain that the word ‘noom’ works so well for her because it doesn’t remind her of anything else. She doesn’t get any mental images as a result of this nonsense word.

I honestly didn’t think much of it initially, but later that same evening, I was again struggling to fall asleep…so, I started reciting the word ‘noom’ over-and-over in my head. Next thing I knew it was morning!

I have been using this trick ever since. It’s not a magic trick, to be sure, but I can truly vouch for this technique being a handy tool for my insomnia toolbox. Most of the time, it does help me clear my mind, relax and fall asleep faster. For me, ‘noom’ doesn’t leave a blank slate in my mind, as it does for my grandma. For myself, it sometimes elicits the image of a moon. But that’s okay, because the moon still has a calming effect on me while I attempt to fall asleep.

Of course, like any sleep aid, inner-monologue nonsense words may not work for everyone. But if you're someone who struggles with racing thoughts at night, it's certainly worth giving this quirky technique a try. Who knows? You might just find yourself drifting off into dreamland faster than ever before, all thanks to the power of nonsense.