Modern cures for sleeplessness no longer involve sheep

Today's women are more likely to count shoes and handbags over sheep in order to get to sleep, it has been claimed.

The Press Association reports that a survey by budget hotel chain Travelodge has revealed that counting sheep no longer works for 87 per cent of those surveyed, with women preferring to count their possessions, calories or items on their shopping lists.

Men are more likely to relive parts of their favourite football matches or think of song lyrics, according to the website.

Both sexes claimed that considering what they would buy should they win the lottery would also rank highly.

Psychologist Corrinne Sweet told the Press Association what the findings imply about the priorities of modern Britons.

"This research shows we are a nation obsessed with security, possessions, weight, time management and feeling good. Counting sheep, a simple rural mind game, obviously doesn't do the trick in our over-stressed, complicated urban lives today," she said.

The news follows a report from the Sleep Council earlier this month which stated that the use of technology such as mobile phones and Blackberries is stopping the UK from relaxing and getting a good night's sleep.

According to Kypost.com, one recent study showed that between 10 and 20 per cent of shift workers have trouble with insomnia.