'Alpha Bridge' method is new sleeping trend that's taking over young people
Rhiannon Ingle
Featured Image Credit: Instagram/ @erica_terblanche / Movacado/Getty Images / Maria Korneeva/Getty Images
Now, there's not much better than a good night's sleep, but it's clear drifting off isn't as easy for some as it is others.
But, not to worry if you find it tricky to nod off, as there are a whole bunch of sleep hacks out there that'll can help you out.
We already know all about the military sleep method, the Scandinavian sleeping trick, the 'shuffling' technique and, of course, the bed rotting phenomenon but there's a brand new sleeping trend that's taking over young people known as the 'Alpha Bridge' method.
So, first things first, what on earth is the Alpha Bridge method?
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Well, it's basically all to do with tricking your body into feeling sleepier than it maybe actually.
It's effectively designed to mimic drowsy eye movements, so you feel calm and ready to drift off more quickly.
Turns out, one of the simplest ways to catch some Z's could be as easy as merely opening and closing your eyes.
Psychologist Erica Terblanche posted the sleep technique to her Instagram page, sharing her wisdom to get her followers off into a deep sleep on their flight in very little time.
According to Terblanche, it takes just four 'simple' steps to fall asleep.
Step one begins by lying or sitting comfortably (we know this is tough on a plane, unless you're flying in first-class style). Then, close your eyes, and count to 30.
On the last step, she told people to 'open your eyes again to a little half-moon sliver, count to five, and then close your eyes again and just watch your breathing go in through your nose and out through your nose'.
Most people will 'fall asleep in the first cycle', Terblanche says.
She explained to her Instagram followers that 'there are four science-based parts to this practice' which allows a person to fall soundlessly to sleep quickly.
She broke it down:
"1. First we count to 30 to stop our mental rumination and to give us something else to focus on - like counting sheep.
"2. Then we force our eyes open a little and trigger ironic processing - it is a psychological phenomenon that makes us do the opposite - eg. Don’t think of a dancing white bear.
"Immediately we think of a dancing white bear. When we force our eyes open we signal ‘don’t fall asleep’ and do a little clever trick on the brain - because now the brain rebels and says ‘I don't want to wake up!’
"3. In the third step of counting to 30 our breathing deepens and slows and the moment this happens our brain waves go from busy beta of wakefull states to alpha - the calm brain wave just before we drop off to theta and delta brain wave in sleep…
"4. And bam! Step four we trigger ironic processing again - and the brain says aikona! I am sleeping!!!… and for most people now follows zzz."
Sweet dreams!