Trouble sleeping? Try the viral ‘puppy paws’ method. It has loads of pawsitive benefits!

Racing thoughts keeping you up? Perhaps the 'puppy paws' sleep method going viral on social media might help.

It involves lying on your stomach or side and tucking your hands under your chest, similar to how a puppy curls up with its paws tucked under its body.

This position is believed to calm the nervous system and promote relaxation, potentially helping you fall asleep quicker and easily.

Here's how it works:

Lie on your stomach or side: Choose the position that feels most comfortable for you.
Tuck your hands under your chest: Gently place your wrists or hands under your chest, with your palms facing down.
Relax your body: Let your muscles relax and breathe deeply.
Add support (optional): You can place a pillow or folded blanket under your arms for extra comfort and to avoid strain on your wrists or neck.

This technique is said to help people fall asleep within 10 to 30 minutes.

Van der Westhuizen says she tried it and it worked after about 45 minutes - she was sleeping!

However, this will only be the position setting you off to sleep because you will move around during the night, notes van der Westhuizen.

Some pawsitive benefits of this sleep method might include:

Relaxation
Reducing joint pressure
Mimics a safe and secure space
Easy to do
Changing sleeping positions disrupts anxious thoughts because it's something new. Your body and brain will focus on learning to do this instead of hyper-focusing on those anxious thoughts
Light compression of yourself onto your hands mimics a weighted blanket that activates your parasympathetic rest and digest response
Tuck and hold posture gives a cocooning sense of safety