The viral sleep hack sweeping Instagram (and whether it really works)
Meditation apps, white noise, weighted blankets; the bad sleepers among us have tried every TikTok trick by now. Are you still tossing and turning? Then Instagram might have the solution. Surgeon Dr. Katelyn Tondo-Steele shared her ultimate sleep hack online and the internet is sold. With a simple eye trick, you can fall asleep again in no time, according to her. More and more sleep experts are also cautiously optimistic. So yes: does this really put an end to those sleepless nights?
This is how the eye trick helps you fall asleep quickly
Dr. Katelyn Tondo-Steele didn't come up with this trick herself, but when her social media find turned out to work so well, she had to share it. And honestly: that thought deserves a thank you. As she explains on her Instagram, the eye trick is actually very simple. You close your eyes, slowly move them from left to right, then from top to bottom, make a circle clockwise and one counterclockwise. Repeat this a few times and who knows, you might notice the next morning that it actually worked. So you don't need to buy anything extra or get out of your nice warm bed at night; your eyes do the trick. Simple, right?
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Why this eye trick can improve your sleep
How is it that this simple trick has so much effect? There are a few reasons. According to pediatric neurologist Kiara DeWitt, you mimic the fluctuations that normally occur during REM sleep. You unconsciously give your nervous system the signal that it's time to rest come down. Another explanation comes from psychiatrist Ishdeep Narang, and it's a lot simpler. Because what happens when you can't fall asleep? You get frustrated about how tired you'll be the next day. That thought causes stress and increased alertness, making you stay even more awake. By performing a simple, monotonous task like this eye trick — which you don't have to think too much about — you distract your thoughts from the fear of losing precious sleep. The panic subsides and you fall asleep faster.
Is this really the golden solution?
Is this the trick that ends all our sleep problems? Maybe that's a bit too optimistic. Although Instagram is a fan and more and more sleep experts are cautiously enthusiastic, there is still no solid scientific evidence. What we do know is that slow, rhythmic movements are calming and eye movements can promote calmness. The link to better sleep? That requires some extra research.
Is it worth trying this sleep hack?
Okay, hard evidence is still lacking. Does that mean this sleep hack is just a waste of time? No, that would be too simplistic. What is certain is that it can't hurt. The worst that can happen is that you still lie awake; but you probably would have done that anyway if you were just lying in bed worrying about your sleep deficit. Moreover: you run no risk of a bad purchase, because this hack is completely free. If you want to try it, take it easy. Forcing your eyes into extreme positions doesn't work anyway. And if it really doesn't work? Just get out of bed for a moment. You don't want your brain to associate your bed with being awake, because then sleeping will only become harder in the future. So are you staring at the ceiling again? Then try the eye roll hack. Who knows, it might just be the golden solution for you.
Source: Huffpost
