References What feelings are coming up in the night or when you try to go to sleep? Sit in a comfortable position and close your eyes. Now this article has helped me with that. There are apps that have sounds you can have your child listen to as background noise, if they get scared of unusual noises at night. A dim nightlight is advised only insofar as it does not disrupt the child's sleeping patterns. Having an overfull bladder can cause nightmares. I keep trying to do these techniques, but they're not helping. What if I am scared of a scary movie that claims that it is a true story and it actually happened? Also, do self-defense training to bolster your confidence and to reduce your fear; conquering too much fear can help liberate you to do more in life. Hi there, I am desperate for some good advice to help me with my seven year old daughter. Topic: Scared at night & I don't know what to do 5 posts, 0 answered Oldest first | Newest first. ", how to take steps towards overcoming your nighttime fears. To be less scared at night, try sleeping with a night light on if you’re afraid of the dark. A fear becomes a phobia when it’s excessive, irrational, or impacts your … Repeat for several cycles until you feel more calm. Illness. Sufferers of post-traumatic stress disorder are especially likely to experience fear at night, nightmares, and sleep disorders. You can actually purchase white noise machines designed with an array of different sounds to help facilitate more restful sleep. Try not to think about it. Having somebody or something with you (even stuffed animals) can help prevent feelings of fear and loneliness at night. Hold for 5 counts. Im just not sure what to do anymore. If you find your mind wandering, focus on counting your inhales and exhales. Interesting to read, this is so common. If your dog doesn’t like his crate during the day, it’s probably one of the reasons listed above. You can meditate anywhere you like and for as long as you like. She received her MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling from Marquette University in 2011. 2 posts. Is it okay to sleep with a sibling when scared? I definitely recommend it! This has now gone on for about 4 weeks. You might say "Now, Jane, calm down. Or, imagine a calm scene, like a beach, a treehouse, or a magical forest. What I do is I make up stories based off books I read, and I make myself a character. Stay in bed when you're scared. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This phobia is also known as hypnophobia, clinophobia, sleep anxiety, or … Voila! I am definitely printing this out to help me! You can also give him a flashlight of his own to use for a little extra security. Then exhale, letting all the air out, for 5 counts. Listen to calming music. And my mom and dad don't like me bothering them at night. Read: The Common 2 Year Old Sleep Regression: How To Overcome. Thank you for your help so far! Letting your child into your bed will not alleviate the fear but instead will support it and your child will not learn to overcome the fear. I am having real issues with my soon to be 5 yr old daughter. The evidence is mixed on the impact of using technology before bed on your sleep patterns. Perfect article. If your child is afraid of being alone and is comforted only by contact with you, consider offering up a virtual you, in the form of a two-way monitor or a set of walkie-talkies. Tell a story in your head. You can also leave the TV on with the volume low throughout the night to give your old dog some comfort and reduce their fear. A pet for companionship (preferably an animal that does not sleep in the bed; a fish tank is a great option) can also provide security at night and reduce nighttime fear. Sometimes the worst thing about feeling afraid is that you don't know what to do. Block Access. Here’s why your little one is suddenly afraid of the dark — and what you can do to help her conquer her fear. This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. (For example, if your child says, "Turn on all the lights in the house so the robbers can't kill us" instead of "I'm scared of the dark.") "I am 12 and all I can say is this helped me get over my fears a lot, so thanks for helping! Thanks wikiHow! The most recent research suggests that watching TV or using technology before bed in fact hinders healthy sleep patterns. Focus on your breath. Start with your shoulders and, as you breathe, work your way down to your feet relaxing each muscle. Constantly reassure your child that he is safe. ", "I absolutely think this will help me a lot.". Somniphobia causes extreme anxiety and fear around the thought of going to bed. This article was co-authored by Trudi Griffin, LPC, MS. Trudi Griffin is a Licensed Professional Counselor in Wisconsin specializing in Addictions and Mental Health. Leave the door open so your cat can come in if it wants to. Therapists often add their own “twist” to the technqiues. Get anchored in the present moment by letting yourself notice all the sensory information you are taking in. Inhale, or take a deep breath, for 5 counts. Take deep full breaths and relax your body. Just let yourself process whatever you need to on paper. ", fantastic. Get a flashlight and leave it under the bed. Try talking about your child's fears during the day, when they're not afraid. Take one or two normal breaths to settle yourself. I watched a show that scared me. Read a book. Tell your child that if their fears bother them – they can squash their fears by looking under their bed. wikiHow's fear advice always helps me! Even if I watch scary things in the morning, images from those movies or shows will come to my mind at night. The placement of this object nearby may help you. "I was scared of the dark because I couldn't see what was around me. If your child has a sibling or even a pet, letting them bunk together can make nighttime fears vanish as suddenly as they appeared. This advice helped me greatly in trying to dismiss these images. Commit to a regular, relaxing routine … For more tips from our co-author, including how to keep a good bedtime routine to help you fall asleep, read on! Since dogs can’t … We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. Informational website from U.S. government focused on the understanding and treatment of mental illness. He was actually afraid. I got angry last night… In social situations? By using our site, you agree to our. Creaky floor sounds, muffled voices, occasional thuds as doors shut, etc., are not indications that anything sinister is going to happen to you, but that you live near other people - and that you are not alone! However, eating a small snack about two hours before bed can be helpful. Sit in a comfortable position. My cat is the only thing that comforts me. Discuss strategies regarding how they can be less scared at bedtime. If your child is afraid of being alone and is comforted only by contact with you, consider offering up a virtual you, in the form of a two-way monitor or a set of walkie-talkies. Squeeze your pillows and pet your sheets. Instead, consider talking to your child about the difference between imagination and reality. Blocking access for mice is extremely difficult, but not impossible! 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