One TikTok commenter said: “I’m a military brat and was taught this. I also had a veteran as a psychology teacher in college who taught this. It definitely works.” Another user said: “My doctor taught me this technique with slight variations when I had insomnia due to PTSD. Trust me it works 100% once you get it down.”
Twitter user@Jontafkasi even said it may have cured his four decades of insomnia. “Hmm, might be a bit early to get excited but after 40 odd years of insomnia, I got a half decent sleep last night… I’ll be impressed (and a little annoyed) if it was that simple. Military method.”
He followed up explaining: “I never have trouble going to sleep but usually wake up in the early hours and that’s when I struggle. Military method. Starting from the top, relax your whole body slowly and carefully, then clear your mind for a while (this is the hard bit), then think of a peaceful scene. “
He concluded: “Normally at that stage I would toss and turn for ages but this technique stopped all that and allowed me to get back to sleep quite quickly. It’s taken a few weeks of practice but touch wood, seems to be helping.”
Does it really only take two minutes?
This is where it’s important to be kind and patient with yourself, as results will vary for many people. Since the method requires weeks of practice to nail it, it could take some time before you’re really attuned to relaxing your mind and body to prepare it for sleep.
Plus, it’s worth noting that most adults with healthy sleep patterns will usually take around 15 to 20 minutes to fall asleep, according to The Sleep Foundation. If you are regularly falling asleep within two minutes, that may signify that you are still not getting enough quality sleep (which ties in well with the method’s military origins, since it was developed to make the most of sleep in high-stress, extreme scenarios).
It’s worth taking the core practices of this method and applying it to your own routine, but don’t put too much pressure on the timeframe.
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Why is the military sleep method popular?
Sleep deprivation, or insufficient sleep is a problem for many of us. Research in 2022 found that 14% (one in seven) of Brits survive on under five hours of sleep a night, which is considered dangerously low. And as well as affecting our concentration and mood, lack of sleep can lead to mental health problems, cardiac problems, dementia and diabetes, so it makes sense that we’re interested in methods and techniques that can help to improve our sleep quality and quantity.
Sleep hacks like the military sleep method have become popular online as many attempt to improve their sleep—though it’s important to note that if poor sleep is continually a problem for you, it’s wise to consult your doctor.
When to see your doctor for insomnia:
Some sleep methods may not work for everyone. According to the NHS, you should see your doctor if:
