A practical experiment to reveal the feasibility of counting sheep for sleep
Many of us are familiar with the imaginary trick of counting sheep as they jump over the farm fence, which is supposed to aid a quick and restful sleep.
But the advice given by grandmothers and school teachers to boys to help them sleep will be tried for the first time ever.
Sleep-deprived Britons who struggle to sleep will be given a chance to count the sheep for real in a unique overnight experience in a Sussex field.
For this purpose I designed an experimental bedroom that is a glass dome on the side of a hill, containing a luxurious double bed for two guests, surrounded by views of the lush countryside, in which two sheep graze, each bearing a different number engraved on their wool, and guests will be invited to count the number of sheep before drifting away Gently into a blissful slumber under the stars.
After dinner and enjoying the night, the experience program is to wake up for a guided yoga session before enjoying a breakfast filled with local food.
Behind the pilot project is sleep technology company Emma Sleep, who called the experiment Shleep Sanctuary, and will offer a competition that will give two people the opportunity to try it when it opens in the summer of 2023.
The dome was created after a survey of 2,000 adults found that 44% of them had struggled to sleep this year.
"The power of a good night's sleep cannot be underestimated, and the nation clearly needs it now more than ever," said Dr. Dennis Schmoltzey, CEO of Emma Sleep.
He added, "Counting sheep is more than just an old anecdote. It's a tried and tested visualization technique that Brits rely on to send them to sleep. They also crave a calm, peaceful environment to immerse themselves in when they struggle to relax, which is very important for quality sleep."
The study also found that 23% claim their sleep quality is worse now than ever - with one in ten even admitting they can't remember the last time they slept well.
More than a fifth (21%) sleep due to concerns about the cost of living crisis, while 23% remain anxious about work.
As such, one in seven adults (14%) used "imagining techniques," such as counting sheep, in an effort to get a good night's sleep.
The study revealed factors they believe increase their chances of sleeping well - including fresh air (23%) and the sound of nature (19%).
"When practiced regularly, these types of exercises have been shown to lower the heart rate by encouraging slow breathing and activating the parasympathetic nervous system," said sleep scientist Theresa Schnurbach, according to the newspaper "The Daily Star".
"Imaginary distraction is also an effective cognitive strategy to aid sleep, in which you can visualize a pleasant, relaxing image in as much detail as possible - such as counting fluffy sheep as they hop over a fence. The goal is to use as many cognitive abilities as possible, so that disturbing thoughts are suppressed." .
"Studies show that this not only shortens the time it takes to fall asleep, but also improves sleep quality."
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