If you're struggling with your sleep, really the thing you should do is to take a proper look at your bedtime routine. Cut down on your coffee. Stop doomscrolling in bed. Perhaps invest in a bed upgrade from our best mattress guide. But let's say you don't have the time or the inclination for all that. Is there are quick trick that'll help improve the score on your sleep tracker, with minimal disruption to your evening? Maybe.
As part of a new study with Happy Beds (opens in new tab), sleep psychologist Katherine Hall has come up with four tricks that can help you get some better shuteye. None of these take longer than 30 seconds to achieve, so they're probably worth a try.
Got a bit longer? Try this 2-minute TikTok sleep hack, or check out our guide to how to fall asleep quickly.
1. Squeeze your muscles
"Squeezing then releasing your muscles promotes full-body relaxation," explains Katherine. The technique is known as 'progressive muscle relaxation' and it's a bit like a low-budget version of a massage.
2. Put some socks on
"Studies show that wearing socks to bed can improve blood flow through a process called distal vasodilation," says Katherine. "As the blood vessels in your feet warm up or dilate, your core temperature begins to drop."
Getting an appropriately cool core temperature is key for the best sleep ("Most people achieve optimal sleep in a room that’s 65 degrees [Farenheit – just over 18 degrees Celsius]," explains Katherine. "Cool surroundings prevent your body from overheating.")
3. Do a headstand
We said quick, we never said easy, okay? "Headstands help circulate refreshed blood to your brain, specifically the master glands – the pituitary and hypothalamus," says Katherine. "It also helps detoxify the adrenal glands to help expel negative thoughts and promote more positive thinking."
