Getting to sleep isn’t always easy, but there could be an easy hack that guarantees you drift off ‘in seconds’ – and all you have to do is some simple eye movements
Many of us struggle to get to sleep at night. With so much going on in our lives, it can be easy to lie awake worrying about everything from money to relationships to an embarrassing thing you said 10 years ago. There are numerous tricks out there to help you fall asleep, such as putting your phone away an hour before bed or getting enough exercise so your body is tired at bedtime – but these often aren’t helpful in the moment or if you wake up in the middle of the night.
However, one woman has claimed she’s found a “magic” hack that can help you get to sleep “in seconds”, and it’s a game-changer for anyone who finds themselves awake at 3am and struggling to doze off.
Jenna Coak shared a video on TikTok in which she shared a hack she found on social media for falling back to sleep once you’ve woken up in the middle of the night. Although she was sceptical at first, she said she has now tried it for a few nights and claims it’s the “best trick” she’s ever tried.
What’s more, you don’t need any special equipment and it won’t take up much of your night – as it only involves some simple eye movements that can trick your brain into falling asleep.
Jenna said: “I’m going to demonstrate [the hack]. Your eyes need to be closed while you’re doing it, [but] obviously mine will be open. So, you look to the right, you look to the left, you look up, you look down. Then you go around in a circle, and then you go the other way. That’s it. You just repeat it until you fall back to sleep.”
While the simple trick might take a while to work for some people, Jenna “swore” that one night she only did the routine twice through before falling asleep, as the next thing she remembers is “waking up”.
The woman also claimed to have “looked at the science behind” the trick, and said that it apparently works by activating your parasympathetic nervous system, which is responsible for promoting relaxation and bodily functions during rest.
She said the movements “trick your brain” into thinking it’s in the REM (rapid eye movement) cycle, which is the part of your sleep cycle that is characterised by increased brain activity and vivid dreaming.
Jenna added: “I don’t know. It feels like some sort of voodoo magic.”
Commenters on the post were thankful for the hack, as many said they would be trying it out as soon as possible because they always find themselves awake in the middle of the night.
One person said: “Gonna try this trick because I’m up at 2am every night.”
Another person who says they have insomnia said: “I will report back if it works tonight.”
And that commenter did report back with a second comment: “It didn’t work for me tonight. I can totally see how it works, though! It really relaxed me, and it helped stop my brain from having a constant thought spiral. I yawned so many times during it. I’m going to keep trying each night, and maybe my brain will finally accept it and let me sleep.”
How to achieve better quality rest
The NHS’ Every Mind Matters campaign has outlined various measures that can assist you in nodding off quickly and experiencing superior sleep quality once you do drop off. Their suggestions include:.
1. Establish a solid bedtime routine
Maintaining a consistent pattern helps enhance sleep quality. This is occasionally referred to as sleep hygiene. An effective bedtime routine should involve setting a specific time to begin unwinding and retiring to bed, plus rising at regular times.
2. Unwind and attempt meditation to aid your slumber
Avoid using electronic devices at least an hour before bed, as mobiles, tablets and computers all emit blue light that hinders sleep. If you struggle with sleep, reading, listening to gentle music or a podcast, or practising sleep meditation can all be beneficial.
3. Do not force sleep
If you’re tossing and turning, unable to drift off, don’t force it. If you’re weary and relishing the sensation of rest, sleep may naturally ensue. However, if slumber eludes you, rise and settle in a cosy spot to engage in a calming activity, such as reading a book or listening to soothing music.
4. Enhance sleep through diet and exercise
A balanced diet and consistent physical activity can aid relaxation and improve sleep quality. Steer clear of hefty meals before hitting the hay, and aim to cut out caffeine, alcohol, or nicotine prior to bedtime. The general guidance is to dodge stimulants 1 to 2 hours before bed.
Regular physical activity promotes better sleep, but refrain from overly vigorous exercises in the 90 minutes leading up to bedtime if it hinders your ability to sleep.