GETTING to sleep can be hard work.
With many of us in a constant state of worry about finances, jobs and relationships it's often difficult to wind down.
If you find yourself struggling, one doctor has revealed some key tips to help you find your way to the land of nod.
Dr Daisy Mae said that while it might sound like a peculiar hack, one of the best ways you can get to sleep is to force yourself to stay awake.
The sleep expert, who is working with Get Laid Beds said that the medical name for this, is paradoxical intention.
"There is actually a phrase to describe this, which is ‘paradoxical intention’, which is where you challenge yourself to stay awake, which tricks the mind into falling asleep.
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"All you need to do is lay in bed, keep your eyes open as much as you can and repeat the phrases ‘do not fall asleep’ or ‘i will not fall asleep’.
"Your eye muscles should tire quickly, and hopefully you’ll be asleep in no time," she said.
Her comments come as a survey by the bedding company found that a fifth of people in the UK take between two and three hours to fall asleep once they get into bed.
Dr Mae added that if you're one of these people, then you could also try the 4-7-8 method.
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The expert explained that to do this, you need to place your tongue at the roof of your mouth through the whole exercise, just behind your teeth.
"Then, exhale through your mouth – it probably will make a bit of a weird noise, but roll with it.
"Then, close your mouth and inhale through your nose for four seconds. Then, hold your breath for seven seconds.
"Now that the 4-7 are both done, we’re onto the ‘8’. Exhale through your mouth, making another weird sound, for eight seconds. Repeat this until you’re fast asleep," she explained.
Lastly, she said you should run through your day backwards in order to help clear your mind.
"Run through what your day consisted of while you lay in bed, but do it starting from getting into bed in the evening, to waking up first thing that morning.
"Do everything in reverse order. This will keep your mind clear of any worries, and it will be a bit more challenging and mundane than running through your day in the right order," she said.
If you do feel tired all the time, it might be worth taking a test to find out whether it's something your GP could help with.
A sleep quiz, devised by the NHS can diagnose your sleep issue and provide you with tips to help you nod off.
Firstly, the test will ask you questions on the quality and length of your sleep, to find out what snooze issue you might have.
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It will then tell you whether you should see your GP and provide you with a list of 'practical' tips.
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