Despite our nightly need for rest to function well, falling asleep isn’t always straightforward. Numerous factors can keep us awake, ranging from the stress of upcoming tasks to the aftermath of too much caffeine, which can disrupt your body’s melatonin levels.

While occasional sleep troubles are common, persistent issues are classified as insomnia. This condition can stem from various causes, including stress, depression, irregular work hours that change your sleep schedule, or even an uncomfortable mattress.

The NHS recommends adults aim for 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night. Failing to achieve this over an extended period can seriously impact one’s health.

One woman reported such severe sleep deprivation—just two hours in eight days—that she ended up in the emergency room. Now having overcome insomnia, she shared a surprisingly “infuriating” trick that helped her finally get some rest.

Piper CJ took to Instagram to discuss her insomnia and revealed that a simple “thought shift” played a key role in her recovery. She described the technique as “frustrating” because it shouldn’t work, yet it does.

She explained, “My doctors tried about a dozen sleep medications, none of which helped. So this isn’t about trying warm milk or meditation—it’s something much more unconventional.”

Piper said she would often be lying awake with something stuck in her head, like a piece of a song that would play on a loop for hours, or thoughts about the future that would give her anxiety.

To help “turn off” her brain, she was told to try “creative thought”. She explained that dreaming is closely related to creative thought, so in order to trick her brain into thinking she was already dreaming, she simply had to think of the most ridiculous thing her mind could conjure.

She continued: “When you lie down, try thinking about something you would never possibly think rationally. For example, I would be in bed thinking that I’m looking through the eyes of a cat eating flowers in a field. Or I am a snake going through various weeds. It’s dream thoughts, so it would never be a past or present [thing]. It would never be depression, rumination, or anxiety.

“Not only have I been falling asleep at night, but I’ve also taken naps during the day for the first time in my entire adult life. I’m so sorry, it’s such a stupid hack.”

Commenters on the post backed Piper’s trick, with many saying they do the same thing and have achieved excellent results, falling asleep in minutes. Others also said they would be giving it a go tonight.

One person said: “So what I’m doing isn’t insane! I started doing this as a child because I’ve always struggled with sleeping. I would make up movies in my head. My own characters, scenarios, wardrobe details and everything. It doesn’t always work, but usually after a while, I pass out, and then the next night, I pick up where I left off in the story.”

Another added: “I’m about to try this in the next 5 minutes. It sounds like a great plan, honestly!”

How to treat insomnia at home

The NHS claims that insomnia usually gets better if you change your sleep habits. They suggest trying the following:

• Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day
• Relax at least 1 hour before bed, for example, take a bath or read a book
• Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet – use curtains, blinds, an eye mask or earplugs if needed
• Exercise regularly during the day
• Make sure your mattress, pillows and covers are comfortable

They also state you should avoid the following:

• Do not smoke or drink alcohol, tea or coffee at least 6 hours before going to bed
• Do not eat a big meal late at night
• Do not exercise at least 4 hours before bed
• Do not watch television or use devices, like smartphones, right before going to bed, because the blue light makes you more awake
• Do not nap during the day
• Do not drive when you feel sleepy
• Do not sleep in after a bad night’s sleep and stick to your regular sleeping hours instead