Instead of relying on sleeping pills, consider the advice of Swiss neurologist and Nobel Prize winner R. V. Hess.
Get comfortable, relax your muscles, and imagine yourself sinking into a soft surface. Focus on something pleasant, and don’t worry about the time passing before sleep. That way, the minutes you spend waiting for sleep won’t feel exhausting; they’ll become a calming transition from the day behind you to the one ahead.
Cold feet can keep you awake for a long time, just like bright lights can. So before bed, soak your feet in warm water, scrub them with a rough washcloth, and slip on cotton socks.
Instead of taking sleeping pills, try this exercise: sit on a chair, relax your back muscles, let your arms hang down, and lower your head to your chest. Let your body completely unwind. After a few minutes, you’ll feel a strong urge to lie down in bed. Use a firm neck roll under your neck for support instead of various “thought pillows.”
