This TikTok hack with 5.2 million views shows you how to fall asleep in 2 minutes

This TikTok hack with 5.2 million views shows yous how to autumn asleep in 2 minutes

Military sleep method: A woman with dark curly hair sleeps on a plush mattress and pillows

(Prototype credit: Getty)

The war machine sleep method isn't a new technique, but it is trending on TikTok again after fitness expert Justin Agustin recently shared a short clip nigh his experience using it. Before that, it was shared past Doctor Jess as ane of her peak sleep hacks and continues to exist pop with people who take trouble falling asleep.

"This technique was adult in the military to allow soldiers to autumn comatose at whatsoever time, any identify," Agustin says in the video. "According to my research, this was developed mainly for fighter pilots who demand 100% of their reflexes and focus, which we all know decreases with lack of slumber."

Here's what you need to know about the military sleep technique and how to use it to fall comatose quickly this evening…

@justin_agustin ♬ You - Petit Biscuit

How to use the war machine slumber method

1. Commencement, relax your jaw and facial muscles, including your natural language.

2. Now drib your shoulders downwards as far equally they'll go to release the tension.

three. Keep your arms loose by your sides, relaxing your fingers and hands.

3. Exhale deeply to relax your breast, then relax the muscles in your legs and feet.

4. Imagine a calming, warm sensation spreading from your head down to your toes.

5. Inhale and breathe deeply, clearing your listen of thoughts and stresses.

6. Now think well-nigh 1 of the following two images:

Yous are lying on your back in a canoe on a placid, calm lake with goose egg but a crystal clear sky above you.
Yous are lying in a black velvet hammock in a pitch black room.

If your mind wanders, echo the words, 'don't think, don't call back, don't think' over and over for about x seconds, and then return to the visualisation until you autumn comatose. Hopefully it shouldn't take long, and the more you practice the military sleep method, the more powerful it will become and the faster you'll autumn asleep each dark.

A yellow canoe sat on a calm lake with blue skies above — (Image credit: Getty)

Who created the military machine sleep method?

This US army sleep technique was commencement documented in Lloyd Bud Winter'south frequently-quoted 1981 volume Relax and Win: Championship Functioning . Winter described it as a highly effective method to aid y'all drift off in two minutes or less and it's been hugely popular ever since. We come across it pop up every now and so on sites like TikTok as new fans discover it for themselves.

The technique was designed to help soldiers fall comatose fast in whatsoever situation past focusing on relaxation and alleviating muscle tension. In turn, this activates the parasympathetic nervous system, which oversees rest.

Sounds skillful, correct? Yes, only in that location's a caveat: the military slumber method rarely (if ever) helps you fall asleep in two minutes the very first time you try it. Don't become us incorrect, it's hugely relaxing from the get-become, and we definitely fall asleep faster than normal when using information technology, but two minutes is a flake of a stretch at kickoff.

Within six weeks though information technology'due south said to be constructive for around 96% of people. So you lot'll demand to do this every nighttime for it to exist truly effective.

As well call back that it's completely normal to take around 20-30 minutes to fall asleep. The key is to have a proficient bedtime routine that helps you unwind ahead of hitting bed then that y'all're in a more than relaxed headspace for sleeping.

Does it actually help you fall comatose faster?

Most people have success with the war machine sleep technique, but like all sleep methods, its effectiveness depends on just how often you practice it.

How come? Well, some slumber techniques are like a musculus that needs building up over time to get every bit strong as possible, and the military slumber method is no exception. We have been using this method on and off for years and it'south still i of our go-to means to quieten a busy mind to fall comatose.

Learning how to fall asleep faster is definitely possible, and it's of huge benefit to anyone learning how to sleep with anxiety where worries and intrusive thoughts can affect your ability to drift off.

On Justin Agustin's TikTok, commenters said: "I'm a armed services brat and was taught this. I too had a veteran every bit a psychology teacher in higher who taught this. It works.'

While some other said: 'My doctor taught me this technique with slight variations when I had insomnia due to PTSD. Trust me information technology works 100% in one case yous get it down.'

A man with long dark hair sleeps on his side in bed — (Image credit: Getty)

Over on Reddit, a user said: 'I've washed essentially this for years. It doesn't always piece of work, but usually does, and it always helps. The key is relaxing your body and relaxing your mind with light meditation.'

The military sleep method is costless, fast and easy to use, so y'all have nothing to lose by trying it for yourself. If you continue to take problems falling asleep, speak to your md or a sleep expert to encounter if you lot have a form of insomnia and how that could exist managed. CBT-I (Cerebral Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia) is usually a good place to start.

We'd as well recommend investing in the best mattress for your slumber and torso, equally well as a comfy pillow – the more than supported and comfortable you feel in bed, the higher your chances of drifting off sooner.

Read more:

The all-time weighted blankets for calmer sleep
Our guide to the all-time memory foam mattress for pressure level relief

Claire is a Slumber Editor at Future, and writes virtually all things related to snoozing, from mattresses and pillows to the latest slumber advice and research. Earlier taking on the role of Sleep Editor, Claire worked as Health & Wellness Editor at Height Ten Reviews, and before that was a Senior Content Editor at T3. Claire is super-passionate about how consistent, good quality sleep tin boost our physical and mental wellbeing, and would beloved to hear from PRs and brands regarding sleep products, services and research that can aid our readers sleep better than ever.