Expert Warns Online Sleep Hacks May Worsen Insomnia

As of November 13, 2025, a growing number of insomnia sufferers in the UK are turning to online sleep hacks in a desperate attempt to get some much-needed rest. However, a leading sleep expert is now cautioning that these trending methods could end up making the problem worse.

According to Dr. David Garley, a GP at The Better Sleep Clinic, the condition affects a staggering 23 million Britons. While these individuals are understandably willing to try anything to finally get a good night's sleep, Garley warns that "if you try too hard to fall asleep, you often actually sleep worse."

The latest viral sleep hack, known as the "military sleep method," claims to help people nod off within just two minutes. But Garley says this is an unrealistic expectation, explaining that for most people, falling asleep within 20 minutes is considered normal. In fact, he warns that constantly falling asleep that quickly could be a sign of excessive daytime sleepiness.

Instead, Garley recommends a more proven approach - sleep restriction therapy, which is the standard treatment for insomnia recommended by the NHS, the British Sleep Society, and the American Association of Sleep Medicine. This indirect method involves strategically limiting time in bed to increase the body's natural sleep drive, ultimately helping insomnia sufferers fall asleep faster and stay asleep through the night.

As the search for a quick fix continues, Garley's message is clear: when it comes to insomnia, trying too hard to solve the problem may only make it worse. The key, he says, is to take your foot off the accelerator and do less, rather than relying on the latest online sleep hacks.