Rumination

A calmer mind before sleep is presented as a goal of addressing rumination during wind-down. Reliving and retelling difficult experiences serves no healing purpose. Anxious or intrusive thoughts can repeat in the mind and make sleep onset difficult. Repeatedly retelling negative experiences causes them to grow larger and more significant in the mind with each telling. Regular rehearsal of negative stories creates a hostile internal environment. Going to bed while ruminating or emotionally upset leads to poor sleep and tossing and turning. The ongoing rehearsal of negative stories is not neutral but actively amplifies the impact of the original event.