A sleep technique used by the military could help you nod off in under two minutes.

It is said to have a 96% success rate after six weeks of practice and was reportedly developed to eliminate mistakes made by pilots because of tiredness.

A survey in 2011 found that a third of people in the UK are severely sleep deprived and according to the NHS, adults should get between seven and nine hours a night.

Mandatory Credit: Photo by Sipa USA/REX/Shutterstock (1794213i) A US Army soldier sleeps on the floor of the passenger terminal at Bagram Airfield while waiting for a flight that will take him home for the Rest and Recuperation Leave program Rest and Recuperation leave programme, Afghanistan - 04 Jul 2012 The R&R Leave Program was implemented to provide eligible members of all Services who are serving within the USCENTCOM Area of Responsibility (AOR) an opportunity for rest and recuperation as well as aid with temporary family reintegration in between tour duties.
The technique was developed to improve accuracy and safety among military pilots (Picture: Rex/Shutterstock)

Chronic lack of sleep has been linked to health problems including diabetes, heart disease and strokes.

So how does the technique work?

Relax the muscles in your face, including your tongue, jaw and the muscles around your eyes.

Drop your shoulders as low as they’ll go before relaxing your upper and lower arm on one side, and then the other.

Breathe out, relax your chest and then, finally, relax your legs, starting with your thighs and moving to your lower legs.

Once you’ve relaxed your body for ten seconds, you must attempt to clear your mind of all thoughts.

There are three methods that may help with this – according to the book Relax and Win: Championship Performance.

1. Picture yourself lying in a canoe on a calm lake with nothing but blue sky above you

2. Picture yourself snuggled in a black velvet hammock in a pitch-black room

3. Repeat the words ‘don’t think, don’t think, don’t think’ in your mind for ten seconds

The sleep method was first written about in the 1981 book but some of the techniques are still being used today to help with sleep deprivation, which has been linked to PTSD in soldiers.

But the US army have since published a disclaimer on the method, saying: ‘The bottom line when it comes to getting restful sleep is doing what works for you.

‘There is no magical formula other than listening to your body.

Sleep is vital to sustaining energy, balancing emotions, work and fitness performance, as well as your overall health.

Most people struggle with sleeping issues by either not getting enough, not sleeping restfully, or a combination of both.

A recent study by the Uppsala University in Sweden revealed that disrupted sleep patterns alter metabolism and boost the body’s ability to store fat, making a strong link between obesity and shift work.

The European Study of Cardiology also found that getting less than five hours sleep a night could be as bad for you as smoking.

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