Insomnia is a common sleep disorder that affects millions of people around the world, and middle of the night wake-ups are one of its most frustrating symptoms. Midlife women, in particular, have a lot of trouble with middle of the night wakes and getting back to sleep can be a real struggle. This can lead to reduced sleep quality and daytime fatigue.
Fortunately, there are simple yet effective techniques that can help you fall back to sleep and improve the quality of your sleep. One such technique is playing the game Wordle in your head, which can distract your mind from anxious or racing thoughts and promote relaxation. In this article, we'll provide you with a step-by-step guide on how to use Wordle to fall back to sleep in the middle of the night.
What is Wordle?
Wordle is a simple but addictive word-guessing game that has gained tremendous popularity in recent months. Wordle was created by software engineer Josh Wardle, who wanted to create a fun and challenging game for his partner. It was sold to the New York Times in 2022. The game involves guessing a five-letter word by entering different letter combinations and receiving feedback on whether each letter is correct or not. With each guess, players receive a clue indicating whether the letter is correct, incorrect, or correct but in the wrong position. The game continues until the player correctly guesses the word, using as few guesses as possible.
Since its creation, Wordle has become an internet sensation, with millions of people around the world playing the game every day. The game is simple yet challenging, making it a perfect way to pass the time and engage the mind. It has become so popular that there are now online communities dedicated to sharing tips, strategies, and word lists to help players improve their scores. Many people have even started playing Wordle in their heads to help them fall asleep, as the game provides a mental distraction that can promote relaxation and reduce stress.
Why is playing "mental" Wordle effective for falling asleep?
When we're lying in bed trying to fall asleep, especially in the wee hours, our minds can often race with anxious or distracting thoughts, making it difficult to relax and drift off to sleep. Playing Wordle in your head can help to quiet these thoughts and provide a mental distraction that can promote relaxation. By engaging in a mentally stimulating activity like Wordle, we can tire our minds and reduce the production of cortisol, a stress hormone that can keep us awake.
How do you use Wordle to help you fall back to sleep?
To practice mental Wordle, use the following steps:
- Lie in bed in a comfortable and relaxed position so that you can drift off once you start.
- Choose a random letter of the alphabet, let’s use p for this example.
- Now, choose a 5 letter word that starts with p. Ex: “peace”
- Spell peace – p-e-a-c-e.
- Think, “peace”
- Choose another word starting with “p” – ex: piece. Think, “piece”
- Spell piece. p-i-e-c-e.
- Think “piece”
- If you run out of “p” words, choose a new letter and start again.
I rarely make it past 10 words before I’m out again.
The key to using Wordle to help you fall back to sleep is to focus your mind on the game and away from any racing thoughts or worries that may be keeping you awake. You can adjust the difficulty level of the game to suit your needs, starting with common letters and moving on to more challenging combinations as you improve.
Is there science behind it?
There is scientific evidence to support the use of Wordle as a technique to help you fall asleep. Studies have shown that mentally stimulating activities like word games can promote relaxation and reduce stress, making it easier to fall asleep.
The technique of playing Wordle in your head to help you fall asleep is also similar to a technique called "cognitive shuffling." Cognitive shuffling involves mentally shuffling through categories or topics to distract the mind and reduce anxiety, similar to how Wordle can distract the mind from racing thoughts. Both techniques can be effective in promoting relaxation and reducing stress, making them helpful tools for falling asleep.
Overall, while more research is needed on the effectiveness of using Wordle for falling asleep, there is scientific evidence to support the use of mentally stimulating activities for improving sleep quality. Whether you choose to play Wordle or try other cognitive shuffling techniques, finding a mental distraction that works for you can be an effective way to improve the quality of your sleep and overall well-being.
If you're struggling with insomnia or middle of the night wake-ups, playing Wordle in your head is a simple and effective technique to help you fall back to sleep. This game can help to distract your mind from anxious or racing thoughts and promote relaxation, making it easier to drift off to sleep. So why not give it a try? Whether you're a long-time insomniac or just looking for a new technique to improve your sleep, playing Wordle in your head could be the solution you've been looking for. It's easy, fun, and may just be the key to a better night's sleep.
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