“60 Blinks” is a fascinating and highly effective “body hack.” It’s a personalized version of what sleep experts often call Paradoxical Intention, combined with a physical trigger.
Here is a breakdown of why “60 Blinks” method likely works so well.
- The Physical Mechanism: Eye Fatigue
Rapidly blinking 60 times is a workout for the levator palpebrae superioris (the muscle that lifts the eyelid).
* Heaviness: By the time you reach 60, your eyelids likely feel physically heavy.
* The Signal: This physical sensation sends a direct signal to the brain that “it is time to close the eyes,” bypassing the mental restlessness.
* Relief: When you finally stop blinking, the sensation of simply keeping your eyes closed feels like a relief rather than a chore.
- The Mental Mechanism: Disruption
Restlessness usually stems from a “loop” of anxious or active thoughts.
* Occupying the Mind: Counting to 60 requires just enough focus to break the train of thought, but not enough to wake you up fully.
* Displacing Anxiety: You cannot easily ruminate on tomorrow’s to-do list while simultaneously focusing on a rhythmic physical count.
- Paradoxical Intention
This is a psychological phenomenon where trying to do the *opposite* of your goal achieves the goal.
* The Struggle: Usually, insomniacs struggle to *keep their eyes closed*.
* The Switch: By forcing yourself to *open and close* them repeatedly, you are fighting to stay active. The brain’s natural reaction to this forced activity is to crave the opposite: rest.
Note: Techniques like this are often more effective than medication for some people because they rely on the body’s own biofeedback loops.