Counting sheep - how does the well-known sleep aid work?

Counting sheep: a well-tried sleep aid with guaranteed success?

Many people suffer from stress-induced sleeping problems. This is also why we see an increasing number of companies which launch products that are said to combat insomnia and ensure sweet dreams. From sleep aids like the trendy sleep berry ashwagandha to melatonin gummies, there are now many innovative remedies for insomnia. But how did people combat sleepless nights in the past, when all these novel sleep aids did not yet exist? Counting sheep is a centuries-old tradition that proves that methods of falling asleep need not be complicated or expensive.  

It cannot be said with certainty who invented the method and when. What is certain, however, is that there are many exciting theories that seek to explain the myth of counting sheep. One particularly pragmatic approach, for example, anchors the method of falling asleep in the middle of the sheep pasture. There, the shepherds are said to have counted their sheep in the evening before going to bed, so that they could fall asleep with a clear conscience that none of their charges had been lost along the way. And because they were tired after an exhausting day, the shepherds are said to have often fallen asleep during this monotonous task.

According to another theory, the fluffy appearance of the animals is responsible for people counting sheep before falling asleep: Their woolly fur is soft and cuddly and reminds us of fluffy clouds, making the animals a symbol of coziness and relaxation. And it is precisely these aspects that are particularly important if we want to enjoy good sleep.

Why does counting sheep work?

The belief that counting sheep helps you fall asleep has lasted so long for a reason: It actually works. Interestingly, it could just as easily be cats, elephants, or unicorns that you're counting to fall asleep. The key is in the monotony of the activity. When you snuggle up in your bed at night and start counting, the monotonous activity allows your brain to shut down. Instead of worrying or preventing yourself from falling asleep with negative thoughts, counting distracts you from your everyday stress and gives you a welcome break. Since you're not busy with anything else, your brain doesn't receive any triggering stimuli that could keep you awake.

Was muss ich beachten, wenn ich Schäfchen zählen will?

Even though the method of counting sheep before falling asleep seems quite simple, there are a few things you should pay attention to. This way, you can enter the realm of dreams even more effortlessly.

• Don’t overthink: When counting sheep, it is not a matter of remembering whether you have counted 103 or only 98 sheep. After all, you are not counting real sheep, but only imagined ones. If you put too much pressure on yourself, counting sheep can actually have the opposite effect and stress you out even more. Instead of trying to do it perfectly, just imagine the sheep in the pasture and keep track of them jumping over the fence.
• Describe in detail: For the sleep method to work, it's best to imagine the sheep in as much detail as possible. It is less important how realistic your descriptions are. In fact, you can count pink or blue sheep just as well if that is what makes you happy. But the more detailed you imagine the animals in your mind's eye, the more engaged your brain will be in the process. This way, you will be fully focused on the task instead of distracting yourself with stressful thoughts.
• Be patient: When you're counting sheep for the first time, you may find it difficult at first to push your thoughts aside and focus completely on the task at hand. This is not a bad thing at all. The more you practice, the better it works.

Which alternative sleep aids are there?

Is counting sheep just too boring for you? While some people appreciate this method of falling asleep because of its monotony, others find counting sheep to be more of a chore. If the method doesn’t work for you, you might prefer other sleeping aids. After all, sleep aids which are helpful to some might actually keep others awake. If you're more the type to relax with gentle movement, yoga or progressive muscle relaxation may be better suited for you. Mindfulness can also be a good way to distract your psyche from everyday stress. Through meditation, for example, many people achieve a state of deep relaxation, which is why the method has also been used as a gentle sleep aid for centuries.

Whether it's tried-and-true methods of falling asleep like counting sheep or modern sleep aids like ASMR or a sleep podcast: We hope you have fun trying out what helps you get a good night's sleep.