Not being able to get to sleep is one of the most frustrating things, and most people will try pretty much anything to help them nod off.

Anyone who has been failed by the usual tricks, like relaxing music, counting sheep or spritzing your pillow with lavender spray, should give the 4-7-8 method a go.

Fans of the process said it can take less than a minute and it's as simple as changing the way you breathe, said MedicalNewsToday.

Dr Andrew Weil, a specialist in integrative medicine at the University of Arizona explained that this breathing technique comes from Indian yogis who use it during their meditation practices.

Dr Weil said: "Its the single best method that Ive found for dealing with getting back to sleep if you wake up in the middle of the night".

You simply inhale through your nose for four seconds, hold that breath for seven seconds and exhale slowly for another eight seconds.

Then repeat, until you drift off.

As well as helping insomniacs, it helps to calm over-stressed minds, managing anxiety and controlling anger responses, by forcing your heartbeat to slow down.

Dr Weil continues: "The theory is that by imposing certain rhythms on the breath with your voluntary system, gradually these are induced into the involuntary nervous system.

And that comes with time. So its the regularity of doing this over a period of weeks, months, years that produces the changes that you want."

Dr Weil suggests using the technique twice a day to start seeing the benefits, and only completing the cycle four times when starting out.

And if you start to feel lightheaded, don't worry, that's completely normal - so make sure that the first few times you try this you're laying down.

Continued here:

Fall asleep in 60 seconds using 4-7-8 method that insomniacs swear by - Scottish Daily Record