How To Sleep Within Seconds 

The military method.

I find the older I get, the more trouble I have falling asleep (and staying asleep even though I am SO tired!, but that is a topic for another day).

In the USA alone, it is estimated that between 50 and 70 million adults have a sleep disorder, with insomnia being the biggest issue. Not only are so many of us getting less than 7 hours sleep, but the lack of sleep is resulting in health issues such as heart disease, diabetes and obesity. If that’s not enough, not only is the lack of sleep giving us health problems, it also flows into our productivity. 

As you may or may not know, my partner is in the army, I recently learned about a military method for falling asleep, and I can report that this has actually worked for me! Hallelujah!! Below you will find 2 methods, I have personally tried the 2nd method.

Ok so let’s get into it……

The United States Navy Pre-Flight School created a routine to help pilots fall asleep in 2 minutes or less. It took pilots about 6 weeks of practice, but it worked — even after drinking coffee and with gunfire noises in the background (wowzas!)

The military sleep methods:

Method 1: How to fall asleep in 10 seconds. 

1. Relax your entire face, including the muscles inside your mouth.
2. Drop your shoulders to release the tension and let your hands drop to the side of your body.
3. Exhale, relaxing your chest.
4. Relax your legs, thighs, and calves.
5. Clear your mind for 10 seconds by imagining a relaxing scene.
6. If this doesn’t work, try saying the words “don’t think” over and over for 10 seconds.
7. Within 10 seconds, you should fall asleep!

Method 2: How to fall asleep in 60 seconds. 

1. Sit on the edge of your bed. Make sure only your bedside light is on, your phone is silenced, and your alarm is set for the morning.
2. Now relax your facial muscles. First tighten them up in a wincing motion, and then slowly let your muscles naturally loosen. And let your tongue fall any which way in your mouth.
3. Once your face feels like deflated putty, let gravity pull your shoulders naturally toward the ground. Let your arms dangle too, one side at a time.
4. While doing this, breathe in and out, listening to the sound of your breath. With each breath, let your chest relax further and then let gravity relax your thighs and lower legs.
5. Once your body feels like nothing more than a loosely formed lump of clay, try to clear your mind for 10 seconds. If thoughts come naturally, let them pass–just keep your body loose and limp. After a few more seconds you mind should feel clearer.
6. Now picture one of the following two scenarios: you lying in a canoe in a calm lake with clear blue skies above you; or you in a velvet hammock, gently swaying in a pitch-black room. If you happen to be a person who isn’t great at visualization, you can instead chant the mantra, “Don’t think, don’t think, don’t think” for 10 seconds instead.

Give one or both of them a try, I would love to hear how they worked out for you! 

Sarah 

 

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