Does counting sheep really send you to sleep?

Does counting sheep really send you to sleep?

Counting sheep is not a bad one. Anything to distract the mind. Particularly if someone gets worried about not sleeping I always say to them "don't panic," but over and above that that "don't panic" becomes, well, what kind of technique can you use to distract yourself from thinking about not going to sleep. I'd actually go for controlled breathing as a mechanism, but counting sheep is as good as any as long as it doesn't irritate you. A visual scene that you can engage in, and engage in with great depth, is a good way for many insomniacs to go to sleep.