Lots of us find it difficult to sleep at night for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s work-related stress, medical issues or even anticipation for the upcoming day, it can be hard to nod off.
While an occasional restless night isn’t unusual, it can start to affect one’s life if it becomes a regular occurrence.
A few sleepless nights are not a cause for concern, but if it starts to interfere with your daily routine, it’s advisable to address it.
A mental health developer and therapist has now revealed their method they claim could help you fall asleep within five minutes each night.
Sharing her advice on TikTok, the woman offered a tip specifically designed for those who suffer from ADHD or have trouble sleeping due to racing thoughts. The account @betwixt.app which has a following of more than 75,000 people, posed the question of how long it typically takes people to fall asleep.
She asked: “Is it under five minutes, between five and 10 minutes or between 10 and 30 minutes? Or are we talking 30 minutes plus? I spent most of my life in the final category, in fact, falling asleep in 30 minutes would have counted as a victory.
“Now much to the disgust of my partner and even though I have an ADHD brain that literally doesn’t shut up, I’m in the under five minutes category and let me tell you, it is so good. Here’s how I do it.”
She begins by turning off the light and closing her eyes, then begins playinga silent game in her mind. The idea is that the game engages your mind with a “complicated” task, but it’s not so challenging that it causes stress – it’s more about keeping your mind focused.
The woman emphasises that the locking in part is crucial as “that stops my brain going off on a tangent”. The game begins with choosing a category – it could be anything from fruits and vegetables to films or renowned actors.
Then, you proceed by associating each letter of the alphabet with an item from the chosen category.
For instance – A for apple, B for banana, C for cherry, and so forth. The woman elaborated: “I find the best way to do it is to think of the letter on the in breath and then to think of your answer on the out breath.”
This technique should help to slow down your breathing. If you’re sceptical, the health guru claimed she’s played this game every night for years and it’s “never let me down”.
Since the video was shared on TikTok, it has gained over 215,000 likes and thousands of comments. One user commented: “It worked.”
Another added: “My friend told me this is amazing!”
If you’re having trouble sleeping or suspect you might have insomnia, it’s advisable to consult your GP or doctor who can suggest strategies to help you. A healthy adult typically requires around 7-9 hours of sleep, but this can vary depending on age and health.