Having Trouble Sleeping? Try “Cognitive Shuffling” to Quiet Your Mind

Ever crawl into bed exhausted, only for your brain to suddenly start replaying the entire day—or worrying about tomorrow? You’re not alone. A recent New York Times article introduced a clever sleep strategy called “cognitive shuffling.” It’s designed to help calm your thoughts and ease you into sleep naturally.

What Is Cognitive Shuffling?

It’s as simple as it sounds. Instead of fighting to “turn off” your thoughts, you gently shuffle them—thinking about random, unrelated words or images.

For example, you might pick a word like “chair.” Then imagine random words that start with each letter—cat, house, apple, rainbow—without trying to connect them. The idea is to keep your brain just busy enough to distract it from worry, but relaxed enough to drift off naturally.

Many people say this method helps quiet racing thoughts faster than counting sheep or deep breathing.

Why This Matters for Family Caregivers

If you’re caring for an aging loved one, you probably know the feeling of mental overload. Between doctor’s appointments, medication reminders, and managing day-to-day needs, your brain rarely gets to rest—even at night.

That’s where respite care can make all the difference.

How Griswold Care Pairing for Manhattan Can Help

At Griswold Care Pairing for Manhattan, we know that caring for someone you love is both meaningful and demanding. Our respite care services give family caregivers the chance to rest, recharge, and sleep peacefully—knowing your loved one is in compassionate, capable hands.

Whether it’s for a few hours, overnight, or longer, our professional caregivers can:

• Provide companionship and supervision for seniors while you take a break.
• Help with daily routines, like meals, personal care, or medication reminders.
• Support clients who have trouble sleeping through calm, comforting nighttime care.
• Create a safe, peaceful environment that promotes rest—for both you and your loved one.

Everyone needs time to rest, including caregivers. By combining small self-care strategies like cognitive shuffling with reliable respite care, you can help prevent burnout and feel more like yourself again.

Need a break—or just a better night’s sleep?
Learn how Griswold Care Pairing for Manhattan can provide trusted respite care that lets you step away with confidence.