Sleep Better Tonight: 7 Unconventional Sleep Hacks That May Help You Snooze by Martin Seeley

Did you know that “how to fall asleep fast” was the most googled “how to” question in the last week, hitting an all-time high? So to help you get a better night's sleep, here is some unconventional wisdom that will have you snoozing in no time.

1. Try Taking a Selfie

Here's an interesting trick: take a selfie while lying on your side. If you draw imaginary lines down your face and torso, they should line up. If they don't, your pillow might not be the right size for you, which is likely to be impacting your sleep quality. Even a small misalignment can increase tension in your neck and lead to discomfort.

If your head tilts upwards, your pillow is too big, causing unnatural neck bending. If your head tilts downwards, it's too small and isn't providing enough support. The goal is to keep your spine in a perfectly neutral, aligned position throughout the night.

2. Drink Sour Cherry Juice

Drinking a cup of sour cherry juice before bed is like a secret weapon for sleep. This is because sour cherries are one of the few food sources that contain melatonin – the hormone that plays a key role in regulating your sleep-wake cycle.

A previous study showed that those who drank just 30ml of cherry juice 30 minutes before their evening meal over the space of a week significantly improved their sleep quality. They increased their sleep time and sleep efficiency (the percentage of time in bed where a person is sleeping).

Similarly, another study was carried out on those who suffer from insomnia. After drinking around 240ml of cherry juice in the morning and another 240ml at least an hour before bed over a two-week period, they saw their overall sleep time increase by 84 minutes.

3. Try the Cognitive Shuffle Technique

If you’re lying in bed and struggling to sleep, try thinking of random items in your head that are easy to visualize, non-threatening and unrelated to one another. For example, potatoes, Tarzan, a violin, a forest. If you struggle, go in alphabetical order.

Known as "The Cognitive Shuffle Technique," this creates cognitive overload and prevents you from focusing on anxieties or worries that might keep you awake. Essentially, your brain gets so perplexed trying to make sense of these random thoughts that it simply gives up and falls asleep.

4. Wear Merino Wool Socks Before Bed

Wearing socks to bed, especially ones made of natural fibers like Merino wool can help regulate your body temperature. This can signal to your body that it's time to sleep.

A fascinating study published in Nature found that warming your feet before bed can help you fall asleep faster. It might sound odd, but the science behind it is pretty cool. Warming your feet helps dilate blood vessels, which can lower your core body temperature, and that's a key trigger for sleep.

5. Go and Lie On the Floor In a Different Room

Sometimes, your bed can become a source of sleep stress. When you've been tossing and turning, try moving to the floor in a different, cooler room. Use a yoga mat or soft surface, and give yourself about 10 to 15 minutes in this new environment.

This technique works because it interrupts your current sleep pattern and provides a mental reset. The change in surface, temperature and environment can help break the cycle of sleep frustration. It's like giving your brain a complete change of scenery, which can help reduce the tension and anxiety preventing you from falling asleep.

6. Top and Tall With Your Partner

If you’ve been lying in bed for a long time unable to sleep, switch up your sleep position. Try sleeping with your head at the foot of the bed or experiment with an inclined position. This isn't just about being different – it can have real physiological benefits.

Changing your sleep orientation can help with blood circulation, potentially reduce snoring and ease acid reflux. Our bodies get used to one position, and sometimes a slight change can provide unexpected relief. It's about tricking your body into a new relaxation state and breaking habitual sleep patterns.

7. Try NOT to Fall Asleep

Try not to fall asleep. This might sound completely counterintuitive, but deliberately attempting to stay awake can help you drift off faster. It's a psychological trick that removes the intense pressure of falling asleep, which is often what keeps people awake in the first place.

A fascinating study from the University of Pennsylvania found that participants who practiced paradoxical intention experienced significantly reduced sleep anxiety. By shifting your mental focus from "I must fall asleep" to "I'm going to stay awake," you actually reduce the performance anxiety that prevents sleep. It's like telling your brain to stop trying so hard.

Have a tip about getting to sleep? Share it in the comments section below. Here's more information about Martin Seeley. 

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