Dropping off to sleep can sometimes be a challenge, especially when it feels like the more you try to sleep, the harder it is to doze off.
The Liverpool Echo reports that a good night's rest is the best thing for both our physical and mental health, as the lack of sleep can affect your mood.
It is not an uncommon issue, however, as 48 per cent of adults aged over 18 say that their lack of sleep has had a negative effect on their mental health, the Mental Health Foundation reports.
Thankfully, one sleep expert has come to the rescue with some tips and tricks.
The most common tricks include counting sheep and cutting down on coffee, but there are some more unusual ones that people find odd.
Happy Beds have teamed up with Dr Katherine Hall to provide a selection of tips that will help you prepare for bed, with one that could work in just two minutes.
Dr Hall's first tip is free and easily accessible to those who possess the ability to do it - it's performing a two-minute headstand.
This trick helps circulate refreshed blood to the brain, specifically the master glands - the pituitary and hypothalamus.
She said: "It also helps detoxify the adrenal glands to help expel negative thoughts and promote more positive thinking.
"Practice by supporting yourself against the wall until you gain enough balance and core strength to try a freestanding headstand."
Another trick is reading a story before bed to reduce stress. Dr Hall explained: "Bedtime stories aren’t just for children. Reading a book or telling yourself a fantasy story in your mind helps reduce stress.
"Choose a niche like mystery, romance, or sci-fi. Avoid non-fiction books that shift your brain into problem-solving mode. Fictional stories mimic dreams, helping your mind prepare for sleep."
However, you should avoid reading from a digital device, as these screens will keep you awake.
Blue light can delay the release of the sleep hormone melatonin, and reset the internal clock to an even later schedule.
She added: "Just one hour of screen exposure can delay your melatonin release by 3 hours!"
More tips include lowering your body temperature by sleeping in light pyjamas, with a light blanket - and weirdly enough, trying to stay awake.
Dr Hall said: "It may sound counterintuitive but to fall asleep faster, you may want to try and stay awake for as long as possible! It’s a technique called paradoxical intention.
"Paradoxical intention encourages you to lie in bed without doing anything to try to fall asleep. You might even want to try to stay awake in bed as long as possible.
"The idea is to tackle the worry that comes with lying in bed awake and to normalise it in your mind. Once you've faced this fear, anxiety reduces and you’ll soon find that you are drifting off to sleep.
"This is also referred to as remaining passively awake. It’s all about being aware and accepting any negative thoughts or worries that usually keep you awake, instead of fighting or blocking them.
"With paradoxical intention, you learn to stop spending energy on getting rid of what you don’t want, and start putting energy into what you do want...sleep!"
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