We have all experienced times when sleep eludes us, the frustration and anguish which continues to rise as the clock hands tick away the opportunity to gain that much needed slumber.

Time seems to race by when we so need it to slow down.

I have tried so many different natural ways to combat sleeplessness over the years. It’s a common problem and affects so many people, and although I do not suffer that often, I have discovered that when my stress levels rise or I have unexpected problems, sleep can often become elusive. The mind ticks over the day’s events and the size of the problems seem to increase and threaten to overwhelm us. It doesn't take long before sleep deprivation becomes the norm and we lose our ability to function to the same high standards.

Focusing the mind on something other than our problems or clockwatching is the trick. Try to forget that time is running away with you and focus on something else. Some people will read a book for a while; others get up and wander round the house or make themselves a warm, milky drink. There is no right or wrong way, its finding the correct method for you. I find a gentle visualization relaxation technique works for me. This could be anything which is appealing or has relaxing undertones, a holiday, a night out with friends or family, a special moment with a partner or children?

I find that closing my eyes and imagining myself snorkeling in Spain, is both peaceful and rewarding. Memories of picture postcard holidays in the sun, when I first began snorkeling are positive ones. The warm weather, blue skies and peaceful feel of the water around me, supporting me, whilst a whole new natural world of imagery was revealed to me, was an incredible feeling. It makes perfect sense for me to focus on the sense of achievement and pleasure, which I experienced at that time and helps me to regain that inner calm and peacefulness.

Equally, visualising myself sat quietly on the river bank on a sun-drenched day, with the gentle hum of insects and a sprinkling of breeze blowing through the greenery around me, a gentle splash as fish rise to the surface of the river, is again tranquil and positive.

When you begin to visualise scenes on a regular basis, it becomes so much easier to conjure these images just when it is necessary. In essence, you are training the brain to recognise that sleep or relaxation will follow. Once trained, the brain will respond to suggestion and every time you feel worried or stressed, focusing on pleasant thoughts so that you are transported away from your problems can only help you to combat negative and harmful thoughts. In essence, you gain control.

A visualisation can be done at any time, but practicing the art of visualisation at night time, will help to form that positive and successful pattern which will help you overcome the frustrations of a sleepless night.

It's the perfect drug free method to gaining your required sleep every night and it really does work.