Sleeping Life Tip: Falling Asleep Easier (Weird but Works!)
I thought for sure someone would have this sleeping lifehack (tip) online, but when I Googled it all I can find are things like, Tornado Safety tips.
So, feel free to use this lifehack for both applications.
I have a ‘Sleeping Lifehack’ that helps you sleep better. At least it helps me, and I have a theory about why it works that is entirely unproven and untrue, but I want to run it by you anyway and see what you think.
If you have trouble sleeping try this:
Cover your face, head, and neck with your arms and hands in any configuration you find remotely comfortable.
That’s it.
Here are some photos of my favorite positions, feel free to experiment to find your optimum state.
At times I am squeezing my face with my open hand - and believe it or not, that feels great. Other times my heavy forearm is laying across the bridge of my nose - but for some reason, the pressure feels good - not uncomfortable.
I realized that I’ve been doing this a lot since I came to Thailand. I’m not sure why that is… I think it has something to do with having lights or noise going on always while I’m trying to go to sleep. I’m not exaggerating. Thai people may be very quiet, demure and sweet in your country… they are in the USA too. But, when you’re here in their country it’s like a musical and noise war-zone. Thai people are excessively loud, and they tolerate any level of loudness from each other with their “mai pen rai” attitude, which - when translated sort of means - ‘nevermind’ or ‘let it go’ or ‘no matter’ or ‘no worries’ or something like that. I’ve never seen a Thai complain on a bus or van while traveling when the driver or assistant starts blaring some music or slapstick comedy show on the DVD player that is enough to shake your skull. I’ve complained, but never once seen a Thai complain.
Anyway, this isn’t a rant on how loud Thailand is - since I’ve acclimated to most of the environmental changes for the most part.
I have never slept with my hands or arms on my face before. Never. My hands have been under my head before, like a little kid goes to sleep, hands folded in a prayer type fold and my head rested on my hands. But putting hands and arms on top of my face and head is a new move. I’m adventuring in new territory.
And, quite frankly my Aimers, it’s working for me.
So… on to my theory about why human beings naturally are able to sleep better by using arms and hands to cover their faces. It goes along with the Tornado Safety idea… When we are in danger we cover our heads. We protect our heads because the grey matter that’s inside, though it appears as amorphous jelly is amorphous jelly that directs every single thing we do. It’s like a bee-hive’s ‘Royal Jelly’ x 25. It’s very important.
I have this idea that when the body goes to sleep the mind knows that it is going to become very vulnerable to whatever happens during the night that can harm it. The mind can get to sleep anyway, and does most times but this lifehack is for those that have trouble sleeping. Even though I have noise and light in my face when I go to sleep I am still able to get to sleep if I don’t put my arms and hands over my head and face. But, if I DO cover my head and face up with my arms - I feel more secure or safe or something. And as a result, I fall asleep very quickly.
By putting your hands and arms over your head and face you’re giving your brain a nice cool comfy feeling that he thanks you for by letting consciousness slip away faster.
Really, TRY IT!
I’ll bet it works for you too!
Best of Life!

Don’t miss my latest sleeping lifehack… 31 Tips for Getting some Sleep minus the Sheep!
If you want to read another article about falling asleep more easily by waking up early - read Lawrence’s article at 5 Reasons you should be an early riser >




















7 Comments, Add YOUR comment or Ping
Tom O'Leary
Hi Vern
This is a really good hack. Simple and useful. I never have trouble sleeping, but my wife does sometimes, so I am going to show her this and see if it works for her too.
Good sleep is a luxury that I think we all deserve.
Thanks
Tom
Nov 16th, 2007
Lawrence Cheok | A Long Long Road
Haha! Interesting post Vern.
I’m going to try them tonight. :)
Frankly, I used to have problems with sleeping that I needed sleeping pills. That was months ago. I have since learned to fall asleep within 10 mins of lying into bed, and it works most of the nights. Thank God, no more sleeping pills.
If you don’t mind, I just like to share my experiences about sleep here: (I posted a link directly on the post Lawrence, thanks for the heads-up!)
Nov 17th, 2007
c5
When I can’t fall asleep, I drink coffee. :)
I can’t breathe if I have something heavy on my head.
Nov 18th, 2007
Dave
I agree 100% with your methods. Here is my own:
My neighborhood is full of f&^$ barking dogs. I cannot sleep now unless my head is sandwiched between 2 pillows with my one arm draped over the top pillow and my hand wedged between the headboard and mattress compressing my arms and pillows against my head. I sleep like a baby.
Also, ive noticed I can sleep faster when I am more face down. Maybe just a personal tick.
-Dave
Nov 18th, 2007
Mauigirl52
I do the head between two pillows thing too. Must be similar to the hands over head/face. I’ll try that too!
I always found sleeping on my stomach got me to fall asleep really quickly. But it hurts my neck so I can’t do it anymore.
Nov 19th, 2007
BARB HUDOCK
MY HEAD SOMETIMES FALLS ASLEEP WHILE I’M SLEEPING, THE NEEDLE FEELING AND ALL. WHY IS THAT?
Jul 18th, 2008
Vern
@C5 - me too - coffee works for me. How that happens? I haven’t the slightest - maybe you know?
@Dave - every neighborhood in Thailand has obnoxious dogs it seems. Mine too. I got used to them. They can bark and howl all night - and it doesn’t bother me! 30+ Chickens outside too… no problem. Cows mooing. No problem. 50 frogs after a rain… no problem. I don’t know what happened to me. Am I becoming Thai?
@ Maui Girl - same here! I love to fall asleep on my stomach… but in the morning my back hurts so bad I vow not to ever do it again. I do this repeatedly just because it feels great at first. ha!
@ Barb - your HEAD falls asleep? I’ve never heard of that. I wouldn’t have any advice except - figure that out!
Jul 22nd, 2008
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