Oleg Breslavtsev/Getty Images
According to his followers, this technique, originally used by the US Navy, allows you to fall asleep quickly, whether you are in bed or even on the train.
It’s almost midnight and sleep hasn’t knocked on the door yet, but you’ve tried everything or almost everything. From verbena to a pillow mist, a weighted blanket, or even a white noise playlist… What if you tried the “Alpha Bridge” method, a relaxation technique shared by South African psychologist Erica Terblanche on her TikTok account this summer. According to the psychologist, the series of eye movements and combined breathing is extremely effective for falling asleep.
The principle
Originally used by the US Navy to maximize the quality of rest for soldiers, this technique primarily aims to stimulate the activity of alpha brain waves (those slow waves characteristic of a calm and relaxed brain) and thus to the bridge, as its name suggests. – between stress and relaxation, the key to sleep.
How to reproduce it at home: “Start by lying down comfortably, closing your eyes and counting to 30,” explains psychologist Erica Terblanche in her video. Then open your eyes a little so they form a half moon. Then count to five, then close your eyes again for 30 seconds. Finally, the therapist invites you to open your eyes again in a half-moon shape. When this is done, inhale and exhale slowly.
” data-script=”https://static.lefigaro.fr/widget-video/short-ttl/video/index.js” >
“Generally, people fall asleep at the end of this first cycle, but if not, you can repeat it until you feel the effect,” advises Erica Terblanche. the technique is used not only in bed, but in any place where you need to rest, be it on the train, in the armchair or on the plane. Ready, set, sleep?
Source: Le Figaro
