Cures for Insomnia

"Insomnia isn't anything to lose sleep over."

1. Watch caffeine consumption, especially after 1 pm.
2. Exercise just about every day, but not right before bedtime.
3. If you're worried or bothered by something that keeps you awake: get up, write it down on piece of paper, and then let that piece of paper worry about it (while you sleep).
4. Lie down, be still, relax. Relaxation is something that is learned and must be practiced. The more you do it, the more effective you are at doing it. Practice focusing your attention on the sound of a fan, for example. Key word: practice.
5. If you wake up in the middle of the night, instead of thinking "I can't sleep.": think about a few nasty chores you could do if you got out of bed. For example, cleaning under/behind your refrigerator. Cleaning under the stove, or behind and under the washer and dryer. Toilets that need scrubbing. Cleaning out drawers or boxes or closets.
6. Don't read in bed.
7. Don't watch TV in bed.
8. Go to bed to go to sleep. Soon your body/mind associates bed with sleep.
9. When you first get into bed, relax. Then start thinking of all the things you have to be thankful for: the fact that you have a bed, a pillow, a roof over your head... Try to think of 100 things to be thankful for. Let any stray negative thoughts go. Just think of things to be thankful for, no matter how small.