The “Cricket” method for those who have difficulty sleeping.. Science supports it too! How does it make sleeping easier?

28.11.2023 – 12:46

While some people fall asleep as soon as their head hits the pillow, others barely try to sleep by counting, doing breathing exercises, or wearing an eye patch. Some people consciously or unconsciously sleep with their feet touching each other, just like cockroaches. Science also supports the effect of this method, called “cricket,” in speeding up the transition to sleep. Assistant neurologist. doctor. We spoke to Belma Doğan Güngen about this method and other tips that make falling asleep easier.

Cockroaches make sounds by rubbing their feet together Because this movement was inspired by “cricket” Many people have probably heard about the sleep transmission method called this news. But maybe you are one of those people who have been sleeping with their feet touching each other for years without knowing why, i.e. “cricket”.

Bustle magazine, published in the United States of America, recently reported in a report that some people sleep peacefully by rubbing their feet together like cockroaches after lying in bed. On TikTok, a user named Marissa posted a video explaining this technique that she applied before going to bed and introduced to a wide audience the game of cricket, which facilitates sleep.

Below the video has been viewed 53.4 million times on TikTok “Before I sleep, I rub my feet together like a cricket.” He Said. Many who commented on the video stated that they did the same, with comments such as “Oh my god, I’m so glad I’m not the only one”, “Relax!”, “Oh, I love doing this”. The same”.

Another TikTok user named Christine, who has more than 426,000 followers, also mentioned that she is among those who use this sleep technique. The video he shot “I just learned this and didn’t realize I had done this before.”

One of her followers told Christine, who shared the message: “Is that what it’s called?” “I do this all the time but I never realized it was so popular.” to reply. another person “This is the only way I can sleep” He said. Another one too “When I was a kid, my mom would tell me I should do this to help me relax and sleep.” he wrote.

Is there a scientific explanation?

Rubbing your toes together like a cricket is an interesting habit that can actually help you calm down and fall asleep. Experts, this technique Calms the nervous system and helps the body self-regulate He says he has proven benefits such as:

He likens this habit to acupuncture. Chinese acupuncturist and physical therapist Dr. elaine lee, In a statement to Bustle The foot is full of nerve endings and a series of acupuncture points.These things are known to help calm your body when aroused, he said.

I have a foot massage, It is a form of relaxation and stress relief. It helps relieve stress, improve blood circulation, and provide a feeling of comfort. Touching your feet together in this way is a type of habit that calms a person because it is repetitive. It also supports the secretion of hormones that reduce stress and feel comfortable. Tell.

According to Lee, there are two specific acupuncture points on the feet that provide this relief. The first are areas called “LV3”, located on the top of the foot, between the first and second toes. The second are the points called “KD1 or Kidney 1”, located under the toes, in the hollow between the second and third toes. As part of your relaxation routine before going to bed, you can touch your feet together or massage each point in these areas separately with your hands for a minute or two.

Consciously or unconsciously, there are certain movements we do, like these, to calm ourselves. But there is no single universal reason why people make these movements.

Australian psychologist Kellan Jones“Self-soothing refers to any behavior that an individual uses to regulate their emotional state on their own,” he said. “For me, this behavior is usually the movement of touching my feet when I lie in bed at night and try to sleep.” In an interview with wellandgood.com.

Clinical psychologist Lauren Kerwin agrees that this is absolutely true Physical relaxation, self-soothing, or a way to reduce anxiety

He said it could happen. Certainly, movements such as repeated sounds, playing by moving the hair between the fingers, shaking the feet and legs, and touching the feet together can help the overstimulated person distract himself from other stimuli. Kerwin, “Some evidence suggests that repetitive movements can stimulate the release of feel-good neurotransmitters (such as oxytocin) and endorphins, which are natural pain relievers produced by the body.” He said.

Saying that it is very common to do the cricket exercise before bed, Kerwin said that self-soothing techniques vary from person to person, and that those who do this usually do it in a dark, quiet area before bed, but sometimes there are people who consciously touch their feet together during activities. others throughout the day, and said this behavior could help them focus better on what they were doing.

Emphasizing that the cricket movement is a common response to reducing anxiety and stress as an emotion regulator, therapist Sidelsis Mendez stated that every person differs in their ability to identify stressors, deal with them, tolerate them, and manage their effects.

What are the other secrets to good sleep?

Pointing out that sleep hygiene treatments are very important to fall asleep comfortably, Assistant neurologist. doctor. bilma dogan johngen, To get good sleep, cut off blue light exposure from devices like your TV, tablet, and phone before going to bed, avoid eating heavy meals in the evening, make sure the environment you sleep in is completely dark, and exercise but avoid exercising too close to bedtime. Pay attention to the amount of caffeine and its timing, and keep the same amount of caffeine every day. “You have to wake up at the right time,” he said.

Many people say that they fall asleep easily because of “cricket”. We asked if the move was really working, said Gungen, who asked us whether the move was really successful. Some of the sleep advice we see on social media may include suggestions that can be linked to scientific foundations. W said Why does this step work? He explained with these words:

“This movement acts as a stimulant and can create a state of calm and relaxation. This may sometimes act on the hands with the same mechanism.” It may have such an effect due to the occurrence of a series of internal physiological changes such as activation of the parasympathetic system, relaxation of the cardiovascular system, and activation of the relaxin hormone system. In the hormonal system, as in the act of rubbing hands together in stressful situations.” Cases are effective.

assistant. doctor. Bilma Doğan-Güngen listed her suggestions for facilitating sleep, with the exception of cricket:

One) Since the acupuncture point is located on the wrist, rubbing the wrist can induce sleep.

2) In particular, a calm sleeping position that reduces nervous system tension and does not cause pain can make falling asleep easier.

3) By lying on the bed, thinking that you are in a quiet and beautiful place, and feeling the relaxation of the face, neck, chest, waist, legs and feet, starting from the head and especially the forehead, and breathing correctly at that time, has a facilitating effect. Can be created in sleep.

4) Sometimes, even a simple behavior can be important in falling asleep. It has a comfortable bed and pillow, sheets, soothing music, essential oils like lavender that are doctor-recommended for those without allergies, and your room is set to the right temperature.