A sleep method that is gaining attention promises to help people fall asleep in under two minutes if practiced consistently for six weeks.
According to the UK’s Daily Mail, Canadian fitness expert Justin Agustin recently posted a YouTube video titled “How to Fall Asleep in 2 Minutes.” Initially developed in 1981 by American sports psychologist Lloyd Bud Winter, the technique was designed to help military personnel fall asleep quickly under pressure. U.S. Air Force pilots trained with this method during World War II, and reports indicated that 96% of participants could fall asleep within two minutes.
At the core of this technique is combining deep breathing and visualization to help shut down the body. Agustin recommends starting by lying comfortably in bed and progressively relaxing your muscles. Begin at your forehead and work through your eyes, cheeks, jaw, neck, and shoulders. As you go through this process, imagine each muscle relaxing and the tension melting away. Agustin also suggests letting your arms, hands, and fingers rest loosely at your sides. Then, take a deep breath, slowly exhale, and picture a warm sensation spreading through your chest, belly, thighs, knees, legs, and feet.
In addition to these physical techniques, Agustin encourages visualizing two specific, calming scenarios. One involves imagining yourself lying in a canoe on a peaceful lake, gazing at a clear blue sky. The other is the image of lying in a plush black velvet hammock, enveloped in complete darkness. Agustin asserts that practicing this method every day for six weeks can make it possible for anyone to fall asleep within two minutes of closing their eyes.
Since its release two years ago, the video has amassed over 11 million views and more than 12,000 comments. Around 90% of viewers have reported positive results and shared their success stories. One commenter wrote, “I’ve been practicing this sleep method for over 30 years, and I still use it today after retiring from the military. It was an invaluable technique during my time in service.”