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 >
Twitterers – do you tweet? Vern at Twitter >
Actually there is a good explanation for why this works. Respiratory function and blood flow are heavily associated with sleeping patterns. When your arms are folded especially at the shoulder you put pressure on the carotid artery which makes you feel sleepy due to slowed blood flow.
My head has fallen asleep before (the skin on the back of my head). It’s the same reason any other part of you falls asleep – reduced blood flow.
I will give this position a try tonight.
Ha! I’ve never had that experience Jen. Does it feel like a brain freeze? Can you still think? Does it feel like you have no head?
That’s great – thanks for sharing.
I think you feel comfortable because of the 9 months you spent in your mother’s womb, all careless and fully protected.
I have a technique too. I lay on my back and relax my muscles strating from the legs and feet and go up. I move a little when I reach my arms, back and neck. The most difficult part to relax is the face, especially the forehead. When I finally relax my face, I jump into sleep immediatly. It has always worked for me.
Nice – yeah, the fetal position is probably the most comfortable position to lie down in. There was a guy in the Air Force we all made fun of because he laid in the fetal position as he slept. I’m not sure why it was hilarious – except that we all knew he had issues. Is it funny now? Not at all really. We change a lot over the years – and that’s a good thing. Thanks for your comment Derin.