Getting a good night’s sleep is a sure-fire way to set you up for the day ahead, but unfortunately it’s not always easy.
Work, stress and other issues can make it really difficult for you to drift off at night, and there’s nothing worse than waking up in the morning tired and groggy.
It can throw your whole day off balance, and once you’re stuck in that routine, it can be tricky to break out of it.
However, Martin Seeley, the CEO and sleep expert at MattressNextDay, has suggested an unusual trick to do before you go to sleep that could solve all of your problems – taking a selfie.
He’s explained how doing this could put an end to any discomfort you might feel whilst snoozing, leaving you with more energy the following day.
This ‘unconventional’ sleep hack is said to help fix your sleeping pattern ‘in no time’, and it’s so easy to do.
“Here’s an interesting trick – take a selfie while lying on your side,” Martin suggested.
“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.”
As well as this, another surprising thing you can do to sleep better is wearing socks to bed – but they’ve got to be made from the right material.
“Wearing socks to bed, especially ones made of natural fibers like Merino wool can help regulate your body temperature,” Martin explained. “This can signal to your body that it’s time to sleep.”
He noted: “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.”
And finally, if you’re really struggling to get some shut-eye, one of the most effective things you can do is actually trying not to sleep at all.
Martin said: “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.”