Hey there, Word People! If your idea of bedtime bliss involves snuggling up with a thesaurus, we’ve got news. If you’ve ever tried to alphabetize your sheep before counting them, we’ve got news. Words can actually help you fall asleep. No, not just reading them—thinking them. Welcome to the wonderfully weird and wordy world of cognitive shuffling. (And yes…our team here at ProEdit tested this technique…and it works!)
The Brainy Backstory: Meet Dr. Dreamy (a.k.a. Dr. Luc Beaudoin)
Nearly four decades ago, Dr. Luc Beaudoin was just a college student losing sleep on Sunday nights. (Relatable, right?) Instead of marathon TV-watching or downing warm milk, he took a class in cognitive psychology and thought, “What if I could trick my brain into sleeping?”
Fast-forward to today: Beaudoin is now a cognitive scientist and sleep ninja. He invented cognitive shuffling. This technique helped him doze off faster. It left his girlfriend (now wife) totally impressed.
So, What Is Cognitive Shuffling?
Picture this: You take a random word—let’s say “piano.” For each letter, you think of random, non-emotional words that start with that letter.
- P: Pear, parachute, pancake, penguin
- I: Igloo, imagination, inkblot
- A: Apricot, astronaut, accordion
- N: Nacho, noodle, narwhal
- O: Octopus, oatmeal, opera
Sound silly? Exactly. That’s the point. It distracts your brain from overthinking, worrying, and replaying that one embarrassing thing you did in third grade.
Why It Works: Science-y Stuff (But Fun)
Cognitive shuffling mimics what your brain naturally does when you’re falling asleep. It drifts into microdreams. These are random, fuzzy thoughts that don’t make sense. Yet, they feel oddly peaceful.
According to Beaudoin and sleep pros like Dr. Fariha Abbasi-Feinberg and Dr. Leah Kaylor, this jumble of disjointed ideas can help signal to your brain, “Hey, it’s safe to sleep now.” It’s like gently nudging your mind into dream mode without using a sledgehammer.
Plus, thinking of neutral words is like giving your brain a toy. It keeps it busy and prevents it from wandering into existential dread.
There’s Even an App for That
Beaudoin conducted a study with 154 college students. In it, he tested a formal version of this word game, called a Serial Diverse Imagining Task (SDIT). He used an app that read words aloud every eight seconds. Students pictured each word in their minds. Voilà: better sleep, less anxiety, and fewer nights staring at the ceiling asking, “What is the meaning of life?”
How to Shuffle Your Way to Sleep
- Pick a Word – Any neutral, random word. “Tiger” works. So does “Muffin.”
- Think of Words – For each letter, brainstorm unrelated words for 5–8 seconds.
- Don’t Overthink It – Seriously. The more nonsensical, the better.
- Add Some Imagination – Picture the objects if you want. Parachutes, igloos, and narwhals galore!
- Keep Going – Most people drift off in 5 to 15 minutes. If not, no worries. Get up, do something chill, and try again later.
Important Note: No Technique Beats Good Sleep Hygiene
Even the best word wizards need some basics:
- Same bedtime every night
- Cool, dark room (like a cave, but with cozier vibes)
- No screens or caffeine before bed
- Socks (yes, really—science says they help!)
And if you’re still struggling night after night, don’t be afraid to call in the pros. Cognitive techniques like this are great. Yet, they’re not a substitute for real medical help or therapy. Seek help if you’re battling chronic insomnia.
Final Word: Words = Zzz
So next time your brain is racing at 100 mph, grab your favorite word and start shuffling. You just might find yourself drifting off mid-parachute or mid-noodle.
Sleep well, fellow logophiles. May your dreams be full of alliteration and your nights be delightfully drowsy.
Bonus Challenge: Try falling asleep with the word “banana.” Trust us, it’s… oddly effective.
Source: CNN — Cognitive Shuffling: A mental trick to help you quiet racing thoughts and fall asleep
New York Times — A Simple Technique to Help You Fall Asleep
See also: More articles for Word People