If you’re struggling to nod off at night and keep waking up feeling groggy, this ‘unconventional’ sleep tip could solve all of your problems and leave you with more energy the next day
Getting a restful night’s sleep is essential for starting your day right, but it’s often easier said than done.
Factors like work, stress, and various other issues can make falling asleep a real challenge, leading to those dreaded mornings where you wake up feeling exhausted and out of sorts.
This can upset the rhythm of your entire day, and once you’re caught in this cycle, it can be tough to escape.
But Martin Seeley, CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, has come up with an offbeat tip to try before bed that might just be the answer to your problems – snapping a selfie.
READ MORE: Why you might be tired all the time – and when you should see a doctor
He explains that this simple act could be the key to eliminating any discomfort you experience while sleeping, ensuring you wake up rejuvenated, reports the Express.
Touted as an ‘unconventional’ sleep hack, it promises to fix your sleep pattern fast, and it couldn’t be simpler.
“Here’s an interesting trick – take a selfie while lying on your side,” Martin recommended.
“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.”
Another surprising tip for a better night’s sleep is putting on socks before going to bed – but they’ve got to be made from the right material.
Martin said: “Wearing socks to bed, especially ones made of natural fibers like Merino wool can help regulate your body temperature,” and added, “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.”
For those who really find it hard to nod off, one of the most effective strategies might seem contradictory: try not to sleep at all.
Martin advised: “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.”
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