Three unique ways to help you fall asleep
While some people can fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, others need a little help drifting off into La La Land.
The average adult needs at least seven to nine hours of sleep to function at their best, yet many fall short.
Studies have shown that two-thirds of adults experience insomnia symptoms from time to time.
According to the Cleveland Clinic, "roughly 1 in 3 adults worldwide have insomnia symptoms, and about 10% of adults meet the criteria for insomnia disorder".
There are several reasons why you might have trouble falling asleep. It could be the result of a medical condition or mental health problems, which require professional help.
However, some are due to lifestyle factors like a poor diet, lack of exercise or bad sleeping habits.
These can be remedied with small changes that, over time, can help you get back on track to sleeping like a baby.
Try these three unique hacks the next time you need a ticket for a first-class trip to Dreamland.
1. Blink yourself to sleep
Can't sleep? Slow blinking might be the answer. No, seriously, gently closing your eyes, pausing, and then slowly opening them could help you enter a dream state. It's a technique called the blink-slow trick.
It is typically used during conversations to help calm nerves, reduce anxiety and increase confidence. This method is also good for people trying to get some shut-eye. It could signal to your brain that you are trying to sleep.
Its calming effect is also the first step for a good night's sleep. Use the blink-slow trick while lying in the dark and taking deep breaths.
This technique is good for people who can't sleep because they are anxious or stressed.
On the flip side, some people believe blinking rapidly for one to two minutes before you hit the sack can also help induce sleep.
The method isn't scientifically proven, but it's worth a try.
2. Confuse your brain
The human brain is a complex organ.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, it "controls thought, memory, emotion, touch, motor skills, vision, breathing, temperature, hunger and every process that regulates our body".
Some call it "the most powerful machine", but that doesn't mean you can't trick it, which is what you will need to do to help you fall asleep.
All you have to do is imagine random objects in your mind: paperclip, teacup, roses, toothbrush, feather.
This technique, which is known as cognitive shuffling, is good for people who need to drown out the noise in their heads before bedtime.
Cognitive shuffling is a mental exercise that involves focusing your mind on words that have no association with one another, as a way of signalling to your brain that it’s time to fall asleep. The task is meant to be engaging enough to distract you from the thoughts that may be impeding sleep, but not so interesting that your brain perks up.
3. Engage the military method
If you want to sleep soundly, then you might want to try this special military sleep method.
It helps soldiers relax their minds and bodies, especially after a battle, in high-stress environments and places they are not used to sleeping in.
This technique is good for overthinkers and people who travel a lot. It teaches you how to relax your muscles while taking deep breaths and using mental visualisation to relax.
Watch the YouTube video below to learn more.
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