10 unusual but easy sleep tips to help you drop off, from Saga, 2025 12 04
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Colin Howard
Dec 4, 2025, 9:30:00 AMDec 4
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Greetings,
Geneerally, I've rarely had problems getting to sleep, I tend simply to
sleep in the usual way over night but often drift off to sleep when
listening to something whilst laying on muy settee, have even drifted off
when sat up straight.
Some of these tips might prove useful for you, I'd be interested to learn
any listed below hit the bill.
Struggling to sleep? These unusual and easy tips are surprisingly good ways
to get a great night's rest.
By Jane Murphy | Published - 3 Dec 2025
Recent research has revealed 20.6 million people in the UK suffer from
insomnia and sleep deprivation. If that includes you, the chances are you've
tried all the usual ways to get to sleep.
However, if chamomile tea and lavender drops aren't quite doing the trick,
don't despair. One of our more surprising sleep tips may lull you into a
slumber instead.
Most of the tactics don't require any special remedies or products and they're
simple to do.
One expert told us about the benefits of eating cheese before bed (we've
busted the nightmare myth) and another explained how humming like a bee to
get a serotonin boost could help insomnia sufferers.
1. Listen to bacon frying (or other soothing sounds)
We're not suggesting you start cooking last thing at night - obviously - but
listening to a recording of a couple of rashers sizzling in the pan may well
lull you off to sleep. A YouTube video of bacon frying went viral for just
that reason.
The theory? This kind of comforting, repetitive sound triggers Autonomous
Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) - a combination of positive feelings,
relaxation and tingling sensations, all of which encourage peaceful slumber.
Sleep expert Dr Craig Richard, has set up an online resource to study the
subject further.
"Several studies, including our own, have shown that people find ASMR
content helpful for falling asleep," he told Saga Magazine.
"The gentle sounds may increase oxytocin release, which is known to increase
relaxation."
Initial research shows ASMR could be helpful in inducing sleep, but more
studies need to be done for it to be conclusive.
2. Employ some reverse psychology
A study at the University of Glasgow found sleep-onset insomniacs - people
who have problems falling sleep and have sleep quality issues as a result -
fell asleep much easier when they were instructed to try to do the opposite.
This method is known as Paradoxical Intention (PI) and during the study it
was found to help participants fall asleep more quickly.
Get into bed as you usually would, turn off the lights and get comfortable -
but don't close your eyes.
Instead, concentrate on your breathing and slowly the anxiety associated
with your inability to drop off to sleep will start to diminish, making it
easier to fall asleep.
3. Get up - yes, really!
If you're not asleep after 15 minutes of trying, get out of bed and do
something relaxing, such as reading, in another room instead.
"If you lie in bed unable to sleep for long periods, you start to associate
your bed with wakefulness and maybe agitation," explains Brendan Street,
clinical lead for cognitive behavioural therapy at Nuffield Health.
"The only way to break the cycle is by realigning the bed-sleep
association."
Keep the lights dim and try going back to bed again when you feel tired.
It's a simple but effective sleep tip.
4. Count sheep - maybe
There are stories that shepherds would count their sheep in the evening, to
check they were all there before going to bed. This prompted counting sheep
as a sleep tip to help people fall asleep, because the shepherds were often
said to be tired afterwards.
However, after studying the theory, scientists at University of Oxford said
it tended not to work because it's too mundane to keep our anxieties away.
Sleep medicine physician Dr Joshua Roland explains more.
"The idea behind it helping with sleep is to have our minds focus on
repetitive and calming imagery instead of focusing on daily worries that
keep us awake.
"It's a good idea to have a routine around sleep, so if counting sheep is
helping someone, then it is potentially worth continuing."
But he advises there may be better techniques out there, such as deep
breathing exercises (see next tip). These activate the parasympathetic
system (the calming opposite of the "fight or flight system") in addition to
being repetitive and potentially mind-clearing for restful sleep.
5. Use your breath
Employing a simple sleep meditation, connected to your breathing can reduce
stress, detach your mind from troubling thoughts and improve your sleep,
according to yoga writer Lucy Edge.
"Close your eyes and begin to count your breaths, slowly and deeply," she
advises.
"Breathe in for one count, out for two, in for three, out for four and so
on. When you reach 10, start again.
"Observe any thoughts as clouds passing across the sky. Become aware of any
space between the thoughts and drop into the deep calm."
One small study concluded, mindfulness meditation could be a viable
treatment option for adults with insomnia, although more research is needed
for it to be conclusive.
6. Warm your feet
When you're winding down for sleep, your body begins to cool to get ready.
However, Swiss researchers found having warm feet can help promote sleep.
A hot water bottle by your feet or sleeping with socks could help you fall
asleep faster as it redirects the blood flow to your feet and quickly
reduces your core body temperature.
If you don't like wearing socks in bed, The Sleep Foundation say you can
still get the benefits by taking a warm foot bath, or by wearing slippers
before bed.
7. Tense your toes
Here's another sleep tip with your (hopefully warm) feet: try alternately
tensing and relaxing your toes for a count of 10 each time.
This draws tension away from the rest of the body, helping you to relax,
according to sleep experts at the University of Maryland.
8. Hum like a bee for a serotonin boost
"The 'bumblebee breath' is incredible for insomnia," says sleep specialist
Alison Francis, author of Breathe Better, Sleep Better.
"It calms the mind, gets rid of negative emotions and stimulates the
feel-good brain chemical serotonin."
So how does it work?
"Turn the lights out, lie down comfortably on your back and make a bumblebee
sound for 10 minutes. Just inhale and hum on the exhale and that's it."
The breathing meditation helps the mind by concentrating on breathing and
the vibrations of the hum, creating a sense of calm. Dr Chris Idzikowski
also promotes this breathing technique in his book The Expert Guide to
Sleeping Well.
9. Nibble on some cheese
Good news for cheese-lovers: it doesn't cause nightmares and could actually
help you get to sleep.
"Yes, the idea cheese causes bad dreams is thought to be a myth," says
nutritionist Cassandra Barns.
"In fact, cheese can contain high levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which
aids sleep.
"But avoid high-fat cheeses late as night, as the fat can disrupt your rest.
Cottage cheese - naturally low in fat - with oatcakes may make the perfect
bedtime snack."
10. Listen to a bedtime story
It's normally a no-no to take your smartphone into the bedroom - but you
might choose to make an exception for the Sleep Stories section of popular
meditation app Calm, which offers soothing words and sound effects to lull
you off to sleep.
"When you're a child, you have much less on your mind and sleep comes
easily," says Calm co-founder Alex Tew on the launch of the feature.
"Sleep Stories are meant to take you back to a simpler mental state and let
your brain relax and prepare for a deep rest, just as it did when you were
young."
Choose from more than 65 bedtime stories, including classic tales and nature
essays, read by the likes of Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Radio 4 Shipping
Forecast presenter Peter Jefferson.
Alternatively, listening to the Shipping Forecast itself also works for some
people.
Alongside these sleep tips, there are plenty of sleep gadgets which can
potentially help - whether you're struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or
wake up in the morning.
Colin Howard, Southern England.
Geneerally, I've rarely had problems getting to sleep, I tend simply to
sleep in the usual way over night but often drift off to sleep when
listening to something whilst laying on muy settee, have even drifted off
when sat up straight.
Some of these tips might prove useful for you, I'd be interested to learn
any listed below hit the bill.
Struggling to sleep? These unusual and easy tips are surprisingly good ways
to get a great night's rest.
By Jane Murphy | Published - 3 Dec 2025
Recent research has revealed 20.6 million people in the UK suffer from
insomnia and sleep deprivation. If that includes you, the chances are you've
tried all the usual ways to get to sleep.
However, if chamomile tea and lavender drops aren't quite doing the trick,
don't despair. One of our more surprising sleep tips may lull you into a
slumber instead.
Most of the tactics don't require any special remedies or products and they're
simple to do.
One expert told us about the benefits of eating cheese before bed (we've
busted the nightmare myth) and another explained how humming like a bee to
get a serotonin boost could help insomnia sufferers.
1. Listen to bacon frying (or other soothing sounds)
We're not suggesting you start cooking last thing at night - obviously - but
listening to a recording of a couple of rashers sizzling in the pan may well
lull you off to sleep. A YouTube video of bacon frying went viral for just
that reason.
The theory? This kind of comforting, repetitive sound triggers Autonomous
Sensory Meridian Response (ASMR) - a combination of positive feelings,
relaxation and tingling sensations, all of which encourage peaceful slumber.
Sleep expert Dr Craig Richard, has set up an online resource to study the
subject further.
"Several studies, including our own, have shown that people find ASMR
content helpful for falling asleep," he told Saga Magazine.
"The gentle sounds may increase oxytocin release, which is known to increase
relaxation."
Initial research shows ASMR could be helpful in inducing sleep, but more
studies need to be done for it to be conclusive.
2. Employ some reverse psychology
A study at the University of Glasgow found sleep-onset insomniacs - people
who have problems falling sleep and have sleep quality issues as a result -
fell asleep much easier when they were instructed to try to do the opposite.
This method is known as Paradoxical Intention (PI) and during the study it
was found to help participants fall asleep more quickly.
Get into bed as you usually would, turn off the lights and get comfortable -
but don't close your eyes.
Instead, concentrate on your breathing and slowly the anxiety associated
with your inability to drop off to sleep will start to diminish, making it
easier to fall asleep.
3. Get up - yes, really!
If you're not asleep after 15 minutes of trying, get out of bed and do
something relaxing, such as reading, in another room instead.
"If you lie in bed unable to sleep for long periods, you start to associate
your bed with wakefulness and maybe agitation," explains Brendan Street,
clinical lead for cognitive behavioural therapy at Nuffield Health.
"The only way to break the cycle is by realigning the bed-sleep
association."
Keep the lights dim and try going back to bed again when you feel tired.
It's a simple but effective sleep tip.
4. Count sheep - maybe
There are stories that shepherds would count their sheep in the evening, to
check they were all there before going to bed. This prompted counting sheep
as a sleep tip to help people fall asleep, because the shepherds were often
said to be tired afterwards.
However, after studying the theory, scientists at University of Oxford said
it tended not to work because it's too mundane to keep our anxieties away.
Sleep medicine physician Dr Joshua Roland explains more.
"The idea behind it helping with sleep is to have our minds focus on
repetitive and calming imagery instead of focusing on daily worries that
keep us awake.
"It's a good idea to have a routine around sleep, so if counting sheep is
helping someone, then it is potentially worth continuing."
But he advises there may be better techniques out there, such as deep
breathing exercises (see next tip). These activate the parasympathetic
system (the calming opposite of the "fight or flight system") in addition to
being repetitive and potentially mind-clearing for restful sleep.
5. Use your breath
Employing a simple sleep meditation, connected to your breathing can reduce
stress, detach your mind from troubling thoughts and improve your sleep,
according to yoga writer Lucy Edge.
"Close your eyes and begin to count your breaths, slowly and deeply," she
advises.
"Breathe in for one count, out for two, in for three, out for four and so
on. When you reach 10, start again.
"Observe any thoughts as clouds passing across the sky. Become aware of any
space between the thoughts and drop into the deep calm."
One small study concluded, mindfulness meditation could be a viable
treatment option for adults with insomnia, although more research is needed
for it to be conclusive.
6. Warm your feet
When you're winding down for sleep, your body begins to cool to get ready.
However, Swiss researchers found having warm feet can help promote sleep.
A hot water bottle by your feet or sleeping with socks could help you fall
asleep faster as it redirects the blood flow to your feet and quickly
reduces your core body temperature.
If you don't like wearing socks in bed, The Sleep Foundation say you can
still get the benefits by taking a warm foot bath, or by wearing slippers
before bed.
7. Tense your toes
Here's another sleep tip with your (hopefully warm) feet: try alternately
tensing and relaxing your toes for a count of 10 each time.
This draws tension away from the rest of the body, helping you to relax,
according to sleep experts at the University of Maryland.
8. Hum like a bee for a serotonin boost
"The 'bumblebee breath' is incredible for insomnia," says sleep specialist
Alison Francis, author of Breathe Better, Sleep Better.
"It calms the mind, gets rid of negative emotions and stimulates the
feel-good brain chemical serotonin."
So how does it work?
"Turn the lights out, lie down comfortably on your back and make a bumblebee
sound for 10 minutes. Just inhale and hum on the exhale and that's it."
The breathing meditation helps the mind by concentrating on breathing and
the vibrations of the hum, creating a sense of calm. Dr Chris Idzikowski
also promotes this breathing technique in his book The Expert Guide to
Sleeping Well.
9. Nibble on some cheese
Good news for cheese-lovers: it doesn't cause nightmares and could actually
help you get to sleep.
"Yes, the idea cheese causes bad dreams is thought to be a myth," says
nutritionist Cassandra Barns.
"In fact, cheese can contain high levels of the amino acid tryptophan, which
aids sleep.
"But avoid high-fat cheeses late as night, as the fat can disrupt your rest.
Cottage cheese - naturally low in fat - with oatcakes may make the perfect
bedtime snack."
10. Listen to a bedtime story
It's normally a no-no to take your smartphone into the bedroom - but you
might choose to make an exception for the Sleep Stories section of popular
meditation app Calm, which offers soothing words and sound effects to lull
you off to sleep.
"When you're a child, you have much less on your mind and sleep comes
easily," says Calm co-founder Alex Tew on the launch of the feature.
"Sleep Stories are meant to take you back to a simpler mental state and let
your brain relax and prepare for a deep rest, just as it did when you were
young."
Choose from more than 65 bedtime stories, including classic tales and nature
essays, read by the likes of Joanna Lumley, Stephen Fry and Radio 4 Shipping
Forecast presenter Peter Jefferson.
Alternatively, listening to the Shipping Forecast itself also works for some
people.
Alongside these sleep tips, there are plenty of sleep gadgets which can
potentially help - whether you're struggling to fall asleep, stay asleep, or
wake up in the morning.
Colin Howard, Southern England.
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