[stakkur]

Two things: breathing, and progressive muscle relaxation (PMR).

Breathing:

Breathe in deeply for about a 4 count, out for about twice as long. Focus your mind on your breathing: "I'm just focusing on my breath".

Andrew Weil advocates a 4-7-8 pattern: inhale deeply into your belly (not chest) for 4, hold the breath for 7, then exhale for 8. He demonstrates it here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gz4G31LGyog

PMR:

Here's an explanation of how to do it: https://www.uofmhealth.org/health-library/uz2225

Both of these engage the parasympathetic nervous system--the 'rest and digest' system. Learning about this and how to 'hack' it has changed my life. Nothing else has worked for me for sleep and general anxiety.