Say goodbye to nighttime anxiety: This new sleep trick won’t make you count sheep

You are not alone in your struggle to get a good night’s sleep. It is believed that between 50 and 70 million Americans Struggle to sleep well. It may not seem like a big deal, but not getting enough restorative sleep over time can make you more vulnerable to a slew of health issues such as: High blood pressure Or type 2 diabetes. It can also make managing your emotions more difficult.

You may have tried the summit Sleep superherowho drank Sleeping girl mocktail to Using sleep technology and Breathing techniques. You may not have heard of the “cognitive confusion” method yet. Let’s dive into what it is, whether it works and what people are saying about it.

For more sleep hacks, see Which Foods you should eat before bedhow Stop getting up to pee When should you sleep and why you might want to try Scandinavian sleep method.

What is cognitive confusion?

Counting sheep used to be commonplace. Thanks to social media platforms like TikTok, you have access to the latest sleep techniques. One thing that is growing in popularity is cognitive confusion about sleep.

Read more: Fall asleep quickly with this tried-and-true 5-minute trick

Cognitive confusion is a cognitive behavioral therapy developed by Luke B. Beaudoinholds a doctorate in cognitive sciences. The goal is to disrupt your thought patterns by focusing on words, phrases, or images to help your mind relax. Focusing on random things takes your mind off things that can cause anxiety or stress, which can disrupt your ability to sleep.

How to try cognitive confusion yourself

After getting into bed, turn off the lights, relax, and focus on a word that is at least five letters long and has no emotional value to you. To illustrate, you can think of a popper. Next, you will find words that begin with each letter of the word. Starting with the letter “B”, you can make a bottle, tub or bobcat.

When you think of these words, you want to spell each one slowly as you visualize them. This is a perfect way to reset your mind, directing all its focus away from the things that make you anxious, while giving you peaceful thinking.

Another way to try this is to channel random thoughts. Instead of focusing on a word or phrase, let your mind drift, creating pictures with random words like cows, sandwiches, lights, and more. Finally, you can think of a word while focusing on your heartbeat. For example, on your eighth heartbeat, think of another word that begins with the same letter. So, if your chosen word is bread, focus on another word that begins with the letter “b,” such as bronco. The key here is to keep things random.

Read more: Use this meditation method to fall asleep in 10 minutes or less

What others say about cognitive confusion

People with sleep problems who have experimented with cognitive quirks have found successful results. One Reddit user Notice This was the only thing that worked for them; This practice was enough to distract their minds, allowing them to fall asleep.

Dr. Scott Walker, a Denver-based dermatologist, posted on TikTok revealing that the cognitive confusion was a mistake The moment the light switched on for him. He equates this practice to rearranging ideas in your head, similar to shuffling a deck of cards. The doctor notes that in addition to distracting your mind, it creates small dreams that occur as you transition to sleep. This practice gives your brain the green light to sleep.

Bottom line: Stop counting sheep

Difficulty sleeping may be more common than you think. One of the best ways to calm your mind while you sleep is to experience cognitive confusion. It allows your brain to focus on random objects and letters, triggering a process similar to small dreams, which helps your brain transition into sleep. It’s been helpful for doctors and others alike, so try it and see if it helps you fall asleep faster.