I've found that a being tired both physically and mentally helps, but not being overly tired. Then have a starchy dinner and go to bed. A hot bath can help, but if I get too hot it is hard to sleep. Works better in the winter!

I also have given myself permission to NOT worry about things once in bed.

The main reason that we can't sleep is the mind is active you will find thoughts going through your head which stop the sleep mode. The sleeping pills today are used for this and usually the same as some patients of mental illness are using on a long term bases for more severe cases of the same problem.

Some of the really old methods still work today. A mug of warm milk theres a chemical in turkey and milk which relaxes the body and mind.

Taking a warm shower or bath. Some people complain it will wake you up more but you feel clean and it will relax body and mind and there is a theory that water is support to be a healing element. Think on that as you will.
Changing to clean bed linen night wear etc can help to so change often.
Setting the body clock to go to bed at the same time waking at the same time. Try and get as much sunlight as you can first thing in the morning is the best way to get vitamin d with limited UV sun damage and can reset a body clock faster. Avoid caffeine after 3pm.

Light is a no no as any light will reset the body clock. No TV, computer etc later at night plays some relaxing music in the back ground.


Some other things on sleep http://kristinbell.org/2007/10/17/tips-and-tricks-for-surviving-a-mental-illness-10/

i have been having sleeping problems since sept last year when i was raped :( and got given amytriptelyn bt didnt work so stopped changed my anti depressents be i still cant sleep and wake up most nites with nightmares and flash backs

you can try reading etc bath hot choco try relax brain :)

Ihave a hard time sleeping to but i am trying the raido now it is working for me i am listing to easy tunes it puts me to sleep now ..just music no one singing at all..

I had taken one of my anxiety pills for the first time in quite awhile and all of a sudden, I got tired. I never put the two together. Also, reading just before you go to bed makes your eyes tired, and in turn, makes the rest of you tired. have you tried that yet? I honestly hope you get an answer because I had it for 4 days and couldn't hardly function.

When my mind is racing at night...i keep a notepad by my bed and jot down anything that im thinking about. For some reason after it's down on paper...I feel permission to let it go and tell myself...now I can think about it in the morning. May be silly but it works for me. (:

I wish I had the answer for insomnia myself. I have two dear friends that both are lucky to get 4 hours a night. Getting less then 6 can cause a lot of health problems. I just haven't been able to find some answers for them either. I'm hoping they will both go to a sleep clinic and see if that will tell them anything. I hope you get some help with this. I had insomnia for 4 nights and couldn't stand it!

Exercising to the point of exhaustion, Valerian root, and, dare I say, masturbation. These are all things that I've found work for me.