The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a p

No doubt you have heard of or used the practice of counting sheep as they jump over your headboard or through the air when you are unable to fall asleep. While this practice may work for some, there is another more empowering and worthwhile practice.

Insomniacs are more likely to fall asleep by imagining a relaxing scene than by counting sheep, scientists have found.

Researchers at Oxford University discovered that the traditional cure for sleeplessness, believed to date from the 19th century, does not work because it is just too boring to keep the mind from drifting to problems and concerns.

In an experiment, 50 insomniacs were asked to use different techniques to see which helped them to fall asleep more quickly. One group imagined a relaxing, tranquil scene like a waterfall or a beach. The second group counted sheep while a third were left to their own devices.

Those who conjured up the relaxing scene fell asleep more than 20 minutes earlier than if they did nothing. Those who counted sheep and the controls took slightly longer than normal to drop off.

The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a po

ore likely to fall asleep by imagining a relaxing scene than by counting sheep, scientists have found.

Researchers at Oxford University discovered that the traditional cure for sleeplessness, believed to date from the 19th century, does not work because it is just too boring to keep the mind from drifting to problems and concerns.

In an experiment, 50 insomniacs were asked to use different techniques to see which helped them to fall asleep more quickly. One group imagined a relaxing, tranquil scene like a waterfall or a beach. The second group counted sheep while a third were left to their own devices.

Those who conjured up the relaxing scene fell asleep more than 20 minutes earlier than if they did nothing. Those who counted sheep and the controls took slightly longer than normal to drop off.

The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a p

boring to keep the mind from drifting to problems and concerns.

In an experiment, 50 insomniacs were asked to use different techniques to see which helped them to fall asleep more quickly. One group imagined a relaxing, tranquil scene like a waterfall or a beach. The second group counted sheep while a third were left to their own devices.

Those who conjured up the relaxing scene fell asleep more than 20 minutes earlier than if they did nothing. Those who counted sheep and the controls took slightly longer than normal to drop off.

The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a p

second group counted sheep while a third were left to their own devices.

Those who conjured up the relaxing scene fell asleep more than 20 minutes earlier than if they did nothing. Those who counted sheep and the controls took slightly longer than normal to drop off.

The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a p

The next time you have difficulty falling asleep calm yourself with loving thoughts. Recall a time, when you felt particularly loved and appreciated, or when you felt loving toward someone else. Recapture that feeling in mind, body and spirit—these feelings have a powerful calming effect and you can drift off to sleep. As you recall yourself feeling the strong sense of love in mind, body and spirit—recite this mantra. “I am filled with loving kindness. I am well. I am peaceful and at ease. I am happy.” Not only does this practice help you fall asleep easily, it gives your self-esteem a boost.