NHS doctor explains simple brain shuffling method to help you fall asleep in minutes

Many of us can struggle to get to sleep at night when it feels like we are going through a constant loop of worrying thoughts. No matter how hard you try, your brain seems to have the power to come up with an endless list of topics instead of letting you nod off.

If this is something you continually experience, it could lead to insomnia - a sleep disorder where you struggle to get to, or stay asleep - which could have a negative effect on your quality of life. This disorder is a common problem in the UK, with it affecting around one in three people.

However, Surrey Live has reported that a new technique is being recommended to try and combat this disorder called cognitive shuffling. Doctor Amir Khan took to TikTok to explain how this technique works if your "brain is too active to let you sleep".

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He says that these stressful thoughts are actually telling your brain it is not safe to sleep and that you need to be on "high alert".

The Good Morning Britain and Lorraine regular said: "Rather than counting sheep, there is now an alternative technique you can use called cognitive shuffling. The idea is that it interrupts your racing mind and instead scrambles your thoughts, inviting the brain to go into sleep mode, assuring it that it is safe to sleep."

First you simply need to get into bed and lie down. From there you need to think of a word "that has no emotional connection to you". He stresses that: "It's really important that the word is completely neutral to you and has no repeating letters."

Using the word 'bed' as a suggestion, he explained: "Now think of the word bed, and think of as many words as you can beginning with that letter [b], and as you do, picture those objects in your mind's eye." For example, you should start picturing things such as a banana, boat, bag or bridge, as they all start with the letter b.

He then explained how to continue this with preceding letters of the alphabet, all though He did not mention the letter c

Dr Kahn continued: "Once I've exhausted the letter b, I move on to the next letter, which is e. Now I'm thinking emus, elephants, eyes, and picturing at the same time. I do the same with the letter d. And once I've finished with the word bed, if I'm not already asleep, I'll think of another word and do the same with that until I do fall asleep."

If this technique does not work for you, and your insomnia persists and affects your life, it is advised that you go to a GP for guidance.

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