As far as we can tell , the mind of weigh sheep to get to sleep might go back to ancient shepherd , who had to literally consider their sheep every dark before turning in , to check that they were all there . Given the timing and the sameness of the task , someone finally gave it a shot as a nap aid and it catch on .
But does it work ? Not concord to researchers at Oxford University . Allison G. Harvey and Suzanna Payne , from the university ’s Department of Experimental Psychology , lead a study where Tennessean insomniacs were supervise as they tried dissimilar distraction technique for light asleep over several nights.1
Harvey and Payne found that field took longer than usual to fall departed on the nights they were teach to consider sheep , or were not told to do anything .
When the insomniacs were told to distract themselves with a relaxing scene like a muted beach , a walk in the Sir Henry Joseph Wood , a massage , etc . , though , they fall asleep 20 minutes sooner , on average , than they did when sheep enumeration or doing nothing . Harvey and Payne conclude that count sheep is just too dull to do for very long , but a more engrossing beguilement , like the detailed images of relaxing beaches , occupy enough " cognitive space" to keep mass from mesh with too many other thoughts or worries .
If you ’re a sheep tabulator and it work for you , great ! If it doesn’t , here are some tips on wield good sleep hygienics from the University of Maryland Sleep Disorders Center :
Stick to a make bedtime and wake up fourth dimension . It ’s easier to fall asleep faster when you ’re customary to sleeping at a certain time.*Avoid alcohol 4 - 6 hours before bedtime . Alcohol has an immediate sleep - inducing effect , but when the alcohol levels in your rake start to fall a few hour later , there ’s a stimulating burden , chair to insomnia.*Avoid heavy , spicy , or sugary foods in that same pre - sleep window . These can impress your ability to stay asleep.*Watch your physical exercise time . utilisation in the afternoon can help deepen nap , but exercise within 2 hours of bedtime can give you trouble when trying to diminish asleep.*Find a comfy temperature . A room that ’s too cold or too hot can keep you alert . A nerveless , but not cold-blooded , room is the most conducive to sleep for most people.*Don’t drive it . If you do n’t lessen asleep within 15 - 30 second of bewilder into your favorite sleeping position , get up , go into another room , and understand until you feel sleepy.*That ’s just the tip of the slumber tips iceberg . What works for you ?
