Optical Illusions to Help Sleep

Dreaming and visualization in the mind are both governed by the same part of the brain: the secondary visual cortex. A relaxed mental state is known as Alpha, a half-asleep state of daydreaming is known as Theta and a state of deep sleep is Delta. Visualizing optical illusions can help trick your mind into bridging the gap between total wakefulness and an escape into dreams.

The Illusion of Movement

• Illusions that use still patterns to convey movement can be particularly deceptive. Even when you know how the illusion is put together, your stubborn eye still insists it is moving. One example is an illusion by Akiyoshi Kitaoka that depicts yellow seed shapes on a purple background. They are arranged in such a way as to convey waves, which makes the eye see the swell of movement behind the image. Looking at this before bed may make you feel as though you are being rocked to sleep on a gentle tide.

Double Images

• Many optical illusions rely on images that look like two things simultaneously. The classic example is the young woman with her head turned, who could also be an old woman with a large nose. Another image has an elderly couple gazing at one another, who could also be two musicians sitting by a fountain. Visualizing these as you fall asleep will help initiate the surreal mental process of dreams, which gather together disparate parts of your subconscious to form a complete picture.

Color Illusions

• Some illusions are based on odd colors, which the eye rearranges when it looks away. One classic example is a flag that consists of an orange box on a green background with black stripes. Stare at its center for a minute, and then look at a white sheet of paper. A red, white and blue flag will hover in your vision. Meditating on colors is a relaxing way to fall asleep, even if you have to deceive your eye to do it.

Infinite Illusions

• The artist M.C. Escher was a master at depicting structures that approximated infinity, such as a staircase that ascended in an endless loop. If you are a visually oriented person, you may be able to keep a simpler version of this endless staircase in your mind to ponder as you are falling asleep. This works on the same principle as counting sheep. Endless repetitions are both comforting and boring enough to lull the tired mind into unconsciousness.