Back in the ‘90s, Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan starred in a film called Sleepless in Seattle. As much as we’d like to be part of a romantic comedy, we’re not so keen on losing out on our eight hours a night.
That is the reality for some though. Insomnia hits the best of us, leaving us staring at the clock until the early hours, hoping for sleep to take over…
If what we described sounds familiar, we have a technique that can help. Straight out of the army, this is a method employed by military personnel who need to fall asleep fast as they don’t always have much time in dreamland.
Step #1
First things first: get into a comfortable position. A good idea is to lie on your back and imagine that you are in a field, staring up at the sky; or in a canoe on still water. If your mind begins to wander, repeat the phrase “don’t think” for 10 seconds.
Step #2
Begin to relax your body by focusing on your breath. Start with your forehead and face, releasing all tension as you work your way down through each part of your body.
Step #3
As you move from the top of your head down, imagine a warm sensation traveling throughout your body. Let it move to your chest, down your arms, and all the way to the tips of your fingers.
Step #4
Inhale deeply and bring your awareness to the center of your chest. From there, allow the warmth to make its way to your stomach, thighs, legs, feet, and toes.
