well, I do alot of the things others have mentioned--books, TV, fantasies. Chamomile tea or any hot drink is soothing... milk.
also, there are some yoga poses that are great for getting you to sleep. I don't do yoga at all, but I know someone who's a yoga nut, and she taught me this one pose, it takes about 10 min and after I do it I'm out like a light. can't remember the name, but I can try to describe it...
sit in lotus position(on your butt with the soles of your feet together, back straight) and take an old belt/strap(something soft that won't cut into your flesh) and make a loop around your lower back(just where your spine joins the hips), over your inner thighs and underneath your feet(does this make sense?). Tighten the strap so it feels comfortable-- it keeps your feet held as close to your body as possible, and keeps your hips rolled forward so your back arches. Then take a firm pillow/roll of blankets that's long enough and wide enough for your head and torso, and about 4-6 inches thick when you're lying on it, and place it right behind your butt, and lie back on it with your arms out to the sides, palms-up. the pillow arches your lower back, opens up your abdominal and chest cavity, and makes it really easy to breathe(this is also great if you've got a cold). you want to make sure that your head is level or a little higher than your chest(don't bend your neck back at all, and look straight up, so you don't have to use any muscles once you're in the pose, you just lie there). then, you lie there and think of every muscle in your body in turn, and consciously relax them. just listen to your breath and you will start to feel sleepy. and if you do it right, you can stay in this position for hours, I've actually fallen asleep this way.
but if all that is too labor intensive, just lie flat on your back in bed, adjust yourself so you're absolutely comfortable and don't feel the need to move, and do the same thing--go through your muscles one by one, tense and then relax them. and just lie there trying to be aware of your breathing without controlling it (which is harder than you think)
Bizzy
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