As a sleep writer, I know the military sleep method is the gold standard hack for falling asleep fast . But whenever I put it to the test, I'd find myself staring at the ceiling. So I was looking for another way to cut down my sleep latency (the time it takes it drift off) when I came across the 3-2-1 shutdown rule. As Dr. Tim Mercer , NHS GP Partner, explained to me, there are a few essentials for consistently falling asleep fast. "Aim for a consistent bedtime, limit stimulating activities before bed, and create a relaxing wind-down period," he said. The 3-2-1 shutdown rule hits all those points by rearranging your evening to prioritize sleep — and you start seeing results fast. Now I'm ready to drift off almost as soon as my head hits the pillow. Here's how it works for me... Key takeaways The 3-2-1 shutdown rule can help you fall asleep fast by rearranging your evening routine to better support your circadian rhythms. 3 hours before bed, stop eating heavy meals.…