Telling a group of insomniacs to embrace their condition may seem a brave move, but that is what Dr Guy Meadows, of the London Insomnia Clinic, is suggesting. So, along with half a dozen others, I have come to an alternative-therapy centre for Meadows’s first two-day Insomnia Prevention Workshop.

Simply put, insomnia is the inability to fall asleep, no matter how great the desire. Chronic insomnia is defined as at least three nights’ sleep a week being seriously disrupted for more than a month. According to the Edinburgh Sleep Centre an estimated 30 per cent of adults in the UK have these significant sleep problems, while a further 10 to 15 per cent suffer at one time or another.

Like many sufferers, I have tried everything: aromatherapy, hypnotherapy, herbal tea — all to no avail. Acupuncture helped a bit, but who can afford that every night? Meadows, a physiologist specialising in sleep disorders, is optimistic about helping us and says that he has successfully treated hundreds of people.

“I spent four years watching people sleep, so I understand what it’s like to have disrupted sleep patterns,” he explains.

“I’m passionate about taking a holistic rather than drug-based approach, so this is a plan of action and a series of tools for learning new techniques and unlearning bad habits. It’s a long-term approach, not a quick fix, but it works.”

Meadows concentrates on “mindful sleep therapy”, a combination of several therapies tuned to the complexities of insomnia, including cognitive behavioural therapy. The crux of this, he says, is that “trying to sleep is one of the main things keeping you awake. If you accept that you can’t sleep and choose to react in a skilful way, then the anger and frustration is taken out of the equation”.

This pragmatic approach underpins much of the workshop, which ranges from a lesson in understanding sleep and how it works with the physiology of the body to how we often react in habitual ways that are not necessarily beneficial.

“We get caught up in automated responses; the pattern of doing, not being,” he says. “But when you take a step back it’s possible to alter your attitude slowly so your responses are positive ones.”

• Our beds should be only for recuperation and procreation. That means no reading, working or watching old films — my particular vice. In order to reset the body clock to a natural sleep rhythm, Meadows recommends sleep restriction therapy, a short-term technique whereby you calculate how long you are sleeping, add 30 minutes at either end, then spend only that amount of time in bed.

• We must also remove all our “sleeping props”, such as herbal tea and warm baths, so that we are stripped down to natural sleep only. It seems harsh — and, quite frankly, terrifying. But Meadows assures us that once our own sleep cycle has kicked in after about six weeks we can reintroduce elements such as naps during the day and reading in bed.

• Yoga-style mindful breathing is believed to decrease adrenalin and stress hormones while anchoring the mind to the moment. Eating regularly and exercising outside in daylight — both of which act as time markers to the body — can help, too. We are instructed not to go to bed full or hungry, as our metabolism can keep us awake. Blood sugar often dips at about 3am, causing us to wake up, so a few almonds, a banana or natural yoghurt will help to keep it even. Surprisingly, alcohol is a sure-fire sleep inhibitor.

• Start a wind-down routine 30 minutes before going to bed. Focus on a simple chore, such as washing the dishes or cleaning your teeth. Dim the lights, because decreased light increases the production of melatonin, which tells the body it is time to sleep.

• The body needs to cool down to sleep so, once you have established your sleep cycle, have an evening bath: it relaxes the muscles and, as the body leaks heat afterwards, your core temperature drops. If you have poor circulation, put on socks and gloves to keep warm, because heat stays in the centre of the body.

“Ultimately, the workshop is about raising your awareness so you can use the skills that you’ve learnt,” Meadows says. “If you have the tools and the confidence to use them, life can get brighter.”

And, four weeks later, am I sleeping better? Once I wean myself off movie nights, I may be.

The next Insomnia Prevention Workshop will be held at Gracelands Yard, London NW10, on July 11 and 12, price £125:

www.londoninsomniaclinic.co.uk ; www.gracelandscafe.com