We’ve long been told to count sheep to nod off to sleep. Where in the world did this adage come from, and more importantly, does it work?

Another way to try this is to channel random thoughts. Instead of focusing on a word or phrase, allow your mind to drift, creating imagery with random words like cows, sandwiches, lights and more.

By Sandee LaMotte, CNN (CNN) — Trying to imagine fat, fuzzy white lambs, jumping one by one over a fence, is a well-known remedy for sleeplessness.