‘I’m a Doctor – I Use a Simple Method to Fall Asleep in Minutes’ | Weird | News

While some people fall asleep effortlessly, others struggle with the task of turning off their minds for restful sleep. But Dr. Scott Walter, a board-certified dermatologist in Denver, claims to have discovered a solution for those who toss and turn at night.

In a viral TikTok video that viewers are calling a game-changer, Dr. Walter revealed his quick method for inducing sleep, which has been praised for turning countless nights of restlessness into peaceful slumber. He shared, “I’m a doctor and sometimes I have trouble falling asleep. I’m going to tell you about the method that was like a light switch moment for me when I learned it.”

He introduced a mental technique known as cognitive shuffling. Dr. Walter explained, “No, it doesn’t mean you have to take something like melatonin or any other supplements. It doesn’t mean you have to take a hot shower before bed or even read anything like that. It’s a simple mental exercise that we call cognitive shuffling.”

He compared the process to mixing your thoughts, in the same way you shuffle a deck of cards, essentially steering the mind away from active thought patterns that can lead to wakefulness.

To demonstrate the flexibility of this technique, he emphasized that there is no single right way to implement it, saying, “There are a few ways to do it.

“You just think of random words or objects that have nothing to do with each other,” giving examples like “cow, leaf, sandwich, butter, liver, things like that — just random words that don’t make sense.”

If that doesn’t work, don’t worry. The health expert recommends picking a letter from the alphabet and timing your heart rate. He added: “Every eight beats, think of a word that starts with that letter.”

Not only does this technique provide mental distraction, it also mimics the “microdreams” we often experience when we are about to fall asleep.

In response to his tips, fans were eager to share their sleep-inducing strategies online. One said, “Prayer! Always works.”

Meanwhile, another discussed his own approach: “My method is to make up stories in my head until I fall asleep.”

A solitary debate seems to do the trick for another, who claimed, “What I do is pick a completely unrelated topic and start talking to myself about it. That usually works.”

So how much sleep should you actually be getting? The NHS says sleep needs can vary, but they offer a guideline of:

• adults need an average of 7 to 9 hours of sleep

• children need an average of 9 to 13 hours of sleep

• Toddlers and babies need an average of 12 to 17 hours of sleep

If you still can’t shake off the fatigue, it might be wise to make an appointment with your GP for advice, who can discuss your options and see how you can move forward.