Do you wake up in the middle of the night? A doctor shares hack to send you straight back to sleep

Struggling to get to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night? A doctor has shared an alternative to counting sheep that should send you straight back to sleep. Independent TVShowing now | Lifestyle02:14Holly Bishop Monday 16 February 2026 15:06 GMTBookmark popoverRemoved from bookmarksClose popoverDo you wake up in the middle of the night? A doctor shares hack to send you straight back to sleepStruggling to get to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night? A doctor has shared an alternative to counting sheep that should send you straight back to sleep.Posting on Instagram on Friday (13 February), Dr Amir Khan encouraged those having troubles with sleeping to try cognitive shuffling, a mental technique designed to disengage the brain.Explaining the technique, which involves listing mundane words, Dr Khan said the trick “invites the brain to go into sleep mode”.He said the technique is “really worth a go” but encouraged those who are having persistent problems to speak to their GP.Up next02:56Beverley Callard shares fears over surgery following cancer diagnosis 01:46Victoria Beckham reveals Valentine’s preparations00:13UK supermarket gives shoppers red baskets to find love00:13Japanese ambassador enjoys ‘wee swally’ as he samples Scottish lagerEditor’s Picks06:31Derry Girls Creator Is Back With Hilarious Belfast Mystery08:15Cast of Bridgerton Season 4 Get Real About Representation06:35These are the films taking over awards season 05:52Euphoria, Blade Runner, and the TV shows dominating 2026More Editor’s Picks07:17Inside Netflix’s unhinged Christmas universe05:16Why Zootropolis 2 is the ultimate underdog story09:16Stranger Things 5: Star & creators break down final season40:26Queen of Versailles on Broadway Stardom and Being American RoyaltyACFC14:11Why Matheus Cunha is Man United’s best signing in years12:18The real reason Liverpool signed Jeremie Frimpong30:24Making a Premier League team of the season that actually works16:08The Newcastle tactics that proved Eddie Howe is an elite managerMore ACFC17:41How Ange’s Spurs beat Man United with just one shot on goal18:22Why Crystal Palace deserved to win the FA Cup13:43Why Arsenal want Martin Zubimendi so badly12:41Why this Man United team could genuinely get relegatedWell Enough04:28NHS doctor reveals his top tips for dealing with frustrating GP visits42:33Dr Karan Rajan: Are ‘leaky gut’ and ‘cortisol face’ real?35:47Deliciously Ella founder on why we’re in a ‘fruit and veg crisis’42:11Joe Wicks on his controversial ‘Killer’ protein bar documentaryMore Well Enough01:05Joe Wicks on the moment he decided to become a ‘phone-free dad’41:50Dr Alex George and therapist Anna Mathur on how to feel happier48:45Alice Liveing on the dark side of fitness influencers40:57Millie Mackintosh on the true cost of alcoholTravel Smart07:11The TravelSmart guide to perfect summer escapes 08:32London’s secret spots: A local’s guide to visiting the capital05:45Mauritius vs Maldives: Which is the paradise island for you?05:35How to escape the crowds on an Italy holidayMore Travel Smart08:02The Mediterranean escape with something for all the family06:42The first-timer’s guide to South America05:23How to have a luxury holiday for less with TravelSmart07:08The TravelSmart guide to MalaysiaWorld of Trouble01:02:38‘Putin’s whole life revolves around war – he’s manipulating Trump’02:08Former MI6 chief says Britain must get ready for war08:31Washed Away: A city under siege and a country in climate chaos59:36UK’s most senior army officer on Ukraine, Iraq and breaking the rulesMore World of Trouble51:21David Miliband: Democracy is in retreat amid growing global conflictDrive Smart07:40The Updated 2025 Nissan Micra That No One Expected!08:56How This Car Gets Amazing Aerodynamics With Hidden Features!13:49Fiat Grande Panda EV Review – Nostalgia, Recharged10:57What Makes the Genesis GV70 Electrified So Special?More Drive Smart07:53Is MINI John Cooper Works the Most Fun Electric Car?19:31Bentley CEO reveals secrets of EV plans04:07Skoda Enyaq Updated: What’s New in 2025?11:19The Classic Renault 4 Just Got a MASSIVE Electric UpgradeMoney Smart02:20SponsoredGabriel Nussbaum on five money habits worth starting in 202602:49SponsoredSanta-approved budgeting: The guide to a smarter Christmas02:50SponsoredSaving or investing? 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