I can't sleep. Without using drugs, how might I conk out?

Question

I say without using drugs cause I want to fall asleep now, not in an hour.

Answer 1

You might try reading How Math Happened, the First 50,000 Years. That worked nicely for me the other night and I had had 2 quad shots of espresso right before that.

Answer 2

Go through a relaxation process - put all your mind and awareness into your toe muscles, tense to the count of ten and relax, all feet muscles ditto, lower leg muscles ditto, upper leg muscles, thigh, pelvic, abdominal, chest, lower back, upper back, hands, lower are, upper arm, neck, face and last of all scalp.
If it doesn't work you're still tense so just do it again.
I use the method any time my usual method doesn't work.

I read my book on my back for a while, then over on my right side till I lose my place or have a mini-sleep, then I put my book on the nightstand, take off my glasses, switch off the bedside lamp, turn over to my left side, wonder how it'll take me to ...

[edit]
I gave the fella who suggested reading the bible a thumbs down - (wish there was a way to reverse those mistakes) - I reckon if you read the Goat herders' Guide to the Galaxy you'd be a sleep in no time.
I recall that it took me ages to get past all the begat stuff the first time I read it - the second time I just skipped it.

I'm retired now but when I worked there was always something to keep me awake; I had a mini-cassette recorder to put all my ideas, question, solutions, and observations on during the night.

Answer 3

I asked a similar question and here was the answer I found most helpful. I give the credit to nightevisions. Hope it helps you too. It helps to have a relaxing routine before bed. Do something calming. Whatever that might be for you... a warm bath, a hot cup of tea, reading a book... If you lie there awake when you go to bed, occupy your mind in a non distressing way. Recite a childhood fairytale such as the 3 Bears... and when your mind starts to wander to everyday worries, pull it firmly back to the story... you'll fall asleep before you get past the porridge!

Answer 4

First of all-get off the computer. I've recently read a study that links insomnia to nations that rely heavily on electronics. Make sure you are trying to sleep in complete darkness-melatonin, the hormone(?) that helps you fall asleep is more readily produced in complete darkness. Clear your mind of all your worries and count backwards from one hundred (works for me). Other than that I'd say go with Brother Manuel's advice. Good Night.

Answer 5

Turn off all simulation: TV, Computer, Music, etc. In short, quiet.

Drink something warn (tea, hot chocolate, etc)

Dim the lights (optional)

Read a book and patiently wait for fall asleep.

The key is to remove simulation.

Answer 6

I'm looking for that same answer...I have Fibromylgia and at night I take a Lunesta, 2 muscle relaxers and a pain pill.....sometimes I can go right off...then someday with the very same medication and I'm up all night. it's just something i guess I'm going to live with

Answer 7

You came to the right place. Just wait a couple of minutes for somebody to post one of those long Bible or Koran "questions" with no paragraph breaks.

[EDIT: panglosswasright, that actually sounds like an interesting book to me. Then again, I'm a total math geek.]

Answer 8

Make yourself some hot milk. When milk is heated a soporific agent is either created or released (I don't remember which at the moment)

Answer 9

Run around the block a couple times, then come in and go to sleep.

Answer 10

Get up off the computer chair and do something physical, tire yourself out the natural way, you can't sleep because you never do enough to get tired.