Photo credit: www.bustle.com
For those who find it challenging to drift off to sleep, reaching for a phone or background noise might seem like a convenient solution. However, these distractions, such as scrolling through social media or staring at a bright screen, often fail to provide the intended relaxation. This predicament has led to the emergence of various alternative strategies, one of which has gained popularity on TikTok: the “house tour” sleep hack.
Originally introduced by creator @emilymeditates in August, the video showcasing this technique has garnered nearly two million views. In her explanation, she describes an unconventional yet effective method for enhancing sleep. “If you have trouble sleeping at night, I’m about to share with you a really strange and weird hack for sleeping that sounds like it makes no sense, but it’s helped me and literally everyone else I’ve ever told it to,” she stated, with the video resulting in over 154,000 likes. The process involves taking several deep breaths, calming oneself, and then visualizing a house.
Instead of resorting to common distractions, she suggests envisioning a leisurely stroll through a house, uniquely defined by personal details and memories. This method appears to work wonders for many individuals. Some users have shared their experiences, with one mentioning, “I tried this and I only got to the kitchen [before I fell asleep].” Others engaged by querying about the technique’s effectiveness for themselves. To glean more insights, we turn to sleep experts.
Implementing the “House Tour” Sleep Hack
To begin this technique, it is vital to prepare your environment properly—think dim lighting, a cool temperature, and a cozy blanket, alongside good sleep practices. After settling in, it is recommended to take a few deep breaths, close your eyes, and summon memories of a familiar home.
According to @emilymeditates, the visualization technique is most effective when focusing on a house you know well but do not currently inhabit—perhaps a grandparent’s home or a childhood residence. Starting the “tour,” she suggests envisioning yourself approaching the house and observing its exterior details, such as the paint color, walkway, and surrounding plants. From there, you’ll imagine opening the door and stepping inside.
As you enter, the focus should shift to a serene exploration of each room, paying attention to the layout, artwork, and textures. To enhance the experience, it might help to incorporate sensory details—imagine the scent of the home or the ambient sounds that made it familiar. Engaging your mind in such vivid details can significantly aid in relaxation and facilitate the transition to sleep.
The Benefits Behind This Technique
According to Dr. Shelby Harris, a licensed clinical psychologist and director of sleep health at Sleepopolis, the house tour method effectively combines mindfulness, visualization, and distraction to mitigate sleeplessness. “This can help calm an overactive mind by focusing on specific details, like colors and scents to stay present,” she commented, as reported by Bustle.
This technique diverts the mind from ruminating thoughts about work or anxiety-provoking subjects by engaging it in recall tasks about the familiar environment. The key is to visualize a home that elicits comfort without conjuring negative memories. For those concerned about potential emotional baggage with this exercise, Harris suggests opting for neutral spaces—like a hotel room or an imagined environment free of emotional associations—for a more soothing experience.
She emphasizes that evoking positive feelings is crucial for relaxation. If the visualization method doesn’t yield results within about 20 minutes, it might be beneficial to get up and engage in another calming activity before trying again. The goal is to induce a sense of tranquility leading to sleep, with observable success being a gradual feeling of drowsiness.
Source:
Dr. Shelby Harris, licensed clinical psychologist, director of sleep health at Sleepopolis
Source
www.bustle.com