If you struggle to get off to sleep at night, maybe you should try reclining in a hammock.
For people tend to drop off more quickly - and even achieve better quality sleep - if they are gently swayed, scientists say.
The findings may explain why parents instinctively rock babies to sleep, and why we find it so easy to nod off when slumped in a rocking chair, they add.
In tests, 12 men who described themselves as "good sleepers" were asked to have naps in a hammock.
Each took two 45-minute naps, first when it was swinging and then again when it was still. On both occasions, they were left in a dark and quiet room while their brain activity was monitored.
All the volunteers fell asleep more quickly when they were being rocked, the scientists found.
Rocking also changed the nature of their sleep, reported in the journal Current Biology.
It increased the amount of time spent in a dreamless stage called N2.
The researchers are now planning to investigate whether rocking could help treat disorders such as insomnia.
据英国《每日邮报》21日报道，当你挣扎地睡不着觉时，或许你应该躺在吊床上试一试。
科学家证实，只要被轻轻摇晃，人们往往就会快速的进入睡眠，甚至拥有较高的睡眠质量。
他们还说，这项发现或许可以解释父母本能的摇晃婴儿睡觉的原因，也可以解释为何我们一躺在摇椅上就会打盹。
十二位自称睡眠良好的男士参与了这项测试，他们被叫来在吊椅上小憩。
每个人小睡两次，每次45分钟。第一次床轻轻摇晃，第二次床是固定的。两次测试，都是在昏暗安静的房间里，与此同时，他们的大脑活动也被进行了监测。
科学家发现，所有志愿者都在被摇晃时，睡得更快。
发表在《当代生物学》杂志的文章称，摇晃也改变了睡眠的性质。
摇晃增长延长了处于N2，即睡眠中无梦阶段的时间。
研究人员正在计划确定调查摇晃是否能够有助于治疗诸如失眠等睡眠失调紊乱的病症。
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