Struggling to fall asleep when you hit the hay? Here are some unusual tips you might not have ever heard of, according to research by Comfybedss.
New research shows that the world is finding it harder and harder to fall asleep, with searches at its highest ever. With an 809% increase in worldwide searches for ‘how to fall asleep’ – that’s an average of 135,000 searches a month – now’s the time to think about how you can quickly drift off into a peaceful slumber. Working with Comfybedss, Sleep Doctor, Dr Deborah Lee, has the following advice.
Breathe only through one nostril
“If you lie on your side and breathe only through your left nostril, it may help you drift off a little bit faster. By covering your right nostril with your finger, this could help lower your blood pressure. This then calms your body ready for bedtime. It should start making you feel a bit dozier.”
Tell yourself to stay awake
“This is reverse psychology at its finest. By telling yourself to sleep constantly, it’ll drive stress and anger around the fact that you’re not falling asleep. However, by doing the complete opposite, and telling yourself to stay awake, it’ll help you drift off a bit quicker. Just keep repeating the phrase in your head ‘do not fall asleep’. Eventually, your eye muscles will tire out, and you’ll be asleep before you know it!”
Tense your toes
“Another weird one, but something I’ve recommended to clients, is tensing their toes for 10 seconds. Tense, and then relax your toes for another 10 seconds. Keep doing this until you start to feel tired. This will help you draw tension away from the rest of the body.”
The 4-7-8 breathing method
“Put your teeth to the roof of your mouth and exhale out of your mouth. You might find a weird noise comes out, but it’s part of the process. Once you’ve done this, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for four seconds. Then, hold your breath for seven seconds. Once you’ve gotten the four and seven out of the way, we’re onto eight. Exhale through your mouth for eight seconds and keep repeating this until you’re fast asleep.”
Take yourself through your day
“Take yourself through the day, but not just in any order – in reverse! Keep it detailed, reminding yourself what you had for breakfast, lunch and dinner, what you did at work, and what music you listened to on your commute. Start from what you watched on TV before bed, and go back through the day, taking yourself right back to when you first woke up. This will keep your mind occupied, not letting you think of something that might be the reason that you’re keeping up.”
And off to the land of Nod you go…
