Falling Back Asleep After Waking at Night

The speaker suggests a simple eye-movement routine to help quiet awareness of body position and make it easier to fall back asleep.

Try this routine

With your eyes closed:

1. Slowly move your eyes left, then right.
2. Move them up, then down.
3. Trace a circle with your eyes counterclockwise, then clockwise.
4. Gently direct your gaze toward your nostrils without crossing your eyes.
5. Take a long exhale.

Repeat the sequence two or three times. The speaker says it may help by calming proprioceptive circuits involved in sensing limb position, and recommends pairing it with long-exhale breathing. It may not work as well when you are highly stressed.