TikTokers are saying it ‘definitely works’
The real question is will you be one of the 96 percent of people who are able to fall asleep in two minutes using this military method?
We’ve all been there – or at least, those of us who feel a lot of anxiety definitely have. Lying in bed, desperately tired, but our minds racing, unable to settle, reaching for the devilish blue lights of our phones wondering: “If only there was a way to fall asleep instantly?”
Well, it turns out, there is, although knowing me, I’ll probably be in the unlucky four percent who it doesn’t work for – but maybe there’s hope for you.
Apparently there’s a military method which helps you sleep in two minutes (Getty Stock Images)
While there’s not been an ‘on-off’ switch created for our brains yet – come on science – there is one military sleep method which might be the next best thing.
Fitness coach Justin Agustin took to his platform to raise awareness of the method, which is said to work for an impressive 96 percent of people and not just that, but it can reportedly get you to sleep in just two minutes.
So, how does it work?
Well, the technique was developed by the US Army, apparently ‘mainly for fighter pilots who need 100 percent of their reflexes’ and for those in active combat who need to be able to fall asleep in noisy and stressful situations.
In order to fall asleep in a matter of minutes, you need to get comfortable and focus on your breathing.
This doesn’t look like the ideal sleeping space, but maybe he just needs the military method (Getty Stock Photo)
Once you’ve nailed that part, you can slowly relax your entire body from the scalp to ‘shut it down’ – starting with your forehead and facial features.
Do your best to make sure nothing is tense with your arms are loose and to your sides.
Imagine a warmth spreading from your head to your fingertips, then you move to your chest and take a deep breath to help it relax, before continuing to relax the stomach, thigh, legs and feet.
The warm sensation needs to be imagined going from your heart down to your toes.
Now, for the harder part.
To help yourself drift off, your mind ideally needs to be cleared of any stressors.
Imagine yourself somewhere cosy, like lying in a warm boat on a calm lake, or wrapped up in a velvet hammock.
If you feel those intrusive thoughts about the time you said ‘you too!’ to a waiter who told you to enjoy your meal, or any other unwanted thoughts, repeat: ‘Don’t think’ to yourself for ten seconds.
After this, hopefully, you should be able to drift off.
It might sound too good to be true, but comments on Agustin’s video prove that there is some truth to the method.
One person wrote: “I’m a military brat and was taught this. I also had a veteran as a psychology teacher in college who taught this. It definitely works.”
Another said: “Pretty sure this is closer to what is called Progressive Muscle Relaxation which was developed by an American physician in 1908.”
So there you have it – sweet dreams!