Finding the perfect way to drift off is a real challenge for many people and it’s even worse when counting sheep just doesn’t cut it—just what do you do? In these situations, many people turn to unconventional methods in the hopes of finally getting some quality rest and these unusual tricks usually work. Here are eleven odd sleep hacks that some experts swear by. While they might sound odd, these could be the secret to getting better sleep.
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Try Paradoxical Intention
It might sound strange but intentionally trying to stay awake can actually help you fall asleep—the idea is to lie in bed with your eyes open & tell yourself to not sleep. Doing this takes away the pressure and anxiety that often comes with trying hard to nod off. In fact, many people claim that this reverse psychology helps them relax and makes it far easier for them to eventually fall asleep.
Drink Lettuce Tea Before Bed
We all know that lettuce adds some crunch to your salad but it’s useful for so much more than that, as tea from lettuce leaves is an old remedy for sleeplessness. Steeping the leaves in hot water makes them release lactucarium, which is believed to have calming effects. As such, drinking a warm cup of lettuce tea before hitting the hay could help you relax and drift off.
Sleep with a Bar of Soap Under the Sheets
In order to fight leg cramps & restlessness at night, some people swear by putting a bar of soap under their bedsheets, near their feet, although there’s not much science to back it up. Even so, those who try it often claim they get better sleep, which could be the scent or just the feel of it. Anyone struggling with restless legs may want to try this—although if it’s a repeated problem for you, you should see a doctor first.
Sniff Jasmine Scent
Jasmine is a lovely flower and its scent could help you sleep better since inhaling jasmine essential oil apparently has a calming effect on the nervous system. Placing a few drops on your pillow or using an oil diffuser in your bedroom will make it seem more soothing. It’s a great way to unwind before bed, especially since it’s so natural.
Use Pink Noise Instead of White Noise
White noise machines are quite popular but trying pink noise might offer even better sleep, as this kind of noise includes more low-frequency sounds. These are similar to gentle rain or the rustling of leaves and some studies have found that pink noise could improve your sleep by promoting more stable brain activity during rest. It might even help with memory retention, meaning that pink noise could be a useful alternative to white noise.
Eat Kiwi Fruit Before Bedtime
Snacking on a kiwi an hour before bedtime might be just what you need for better sleep, as some studies have shown that eating kiwis can help people fall asleep faster—it also helps them stay asleep longer. The fruit has lots of serotonin & antioxidants in it, which scientists believe could contribute to its effect on your sleep. Best of all, kiwis are quite delicious and make for a healthy treat as part of your nighttime routine.
Practice Earthing While You Sleep
Earthing, or grounding, involves connecting directly with the Earth’s surface electrons and some people use special grounding sheets or mats on their beds to do so. The idea is that syncing with the Earth’s natural electrical charge will help you to reduce inflammation & stress, leading to better sleep. The science behind it is still being understood but many people claim they feel more refreshed after trying it.
Sleep in a Hammock
Switching from your regular bed to a hammock may help you fall asleep faster because the gentle rocking motion will calm you down, just like how we soothe babies to sleep. Some research suggests that this movement may lead to deeper sleep cycles. As such, anyone who’s open to trying something unconventional should try setting up a hammock for a more relaxing bedtime experience.
Practice the “4-7-8” Breathing Method
The “4-7-8” breathing technique is simple enough, yet it could help you relax & fall asleep faster. To try it, breathe in quietly through your nose for a count of four, hold the breath for seven counts, then exhale through your mouth for eight counts—repeat this cycle several times. In theory, the method calms your nervous system & reduces anxiety, which makes it easier to drift off to sleep.
Take a Warm Bath Followed by Cooling Down
Taking a warm bath about an hour before bedtime helps prepare your body for sleep because when you soak in warm water, your body temperature rises. After you get out, it begins to cool down and this tells your body that it’s time to sleep. The natural drop in temperature could help you fall asleep faster & improve the quality of your rest, so you should give it a go.
Try Reverse Blinking
Reverse blinking is a technique where you close your eyes for several seconds and then open them briefly before repeating this pattern. It works because focusing on keeping your eyes closed might make them feel heavy, while also clearing your mind by giving it a simple task to do. People who’ve tried reverse blinking often say it helps them drift off more quickly.
Disclaimer: This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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