Are you tired of counting sheep and still not catching those elusive Z's? You're not alone! According to Flinders University, up to 40% of Australians are experiencing inadequate sleep and it's affects can be quite devastating over long periods of time. But fear not, because we've got some quirky and effective sleep hacks that you can do around bedtime to help you drift off faster than you can say "goodnight!". In combination with our most recent blog post on 'sleep inducing foods', you'll be sleeping in no time. With science.

Sounds counterintuitive, right? But reverse psychology works wonders, even on yourself! Try lying in bed with your eyes open, focusing on staying awake. You'll be surprised how quickly you'll nod off.

Still can't sleep? Get up and do something that engages your hands and mind, like a jigsaw puzzle or colouring. Just avoid electronic devices—they're sleep's arch-nemesis!

Your body cools down when you sleep, so set your bedroom temperature between 16-19°C. It's like giving your body a gentle nudge towards dreamland.

A follow-up to the last method, a warm shower before bed can help your body cool down faster afterward, prepping you for sleep. Plus, who doesn't love a good soak after a long, hard day?

Don't want to commit to the whole shower or bath routine? That's cools! Try dunking your face in cool water for 30 seconds. It sounds wild, but it helps reset your central nervous system, calming you down.

Watching the minutes tick by can ramp up anxiety. Turn your clock away or cover it with a towel. Out of sight, out of mind!

Warm feet and hands help with internal heat loss, encouraging melatonin production—the sleep hormone. So, cosy up with some socks!

Practice deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga before bed to calm your mind and body. Whilst in bed you can slowly move through your body, head to toes, flexing one muscle group at a time to help loosen everything up.