what's the best way to fall asleep when you have to, but you are not tired?
370407
I get comfy, lay in complete darkness and silence and fall asleep....you get so bored there's nothing else to do!
544382
take medicine and just relax and sleep
197226
Any sleep is better than no sleep.\nGive your brain a mental break and take a nap.
164014
What I do when I am too stressed to fall asleep is: Fix some hot chamomile tea with honey and soak in a hot bubble bath with candles and relaxation/ocean music in the bathroom.  It is very relaxing.  Then, I usually play the relaxation music while I fall asleep.  Normally I don't listen to music when I sleep.  \nIt is good to set a pattern before going to bed each night.  For example, I know it is bedtime when I brush out my hair, wash my face, and brush my teeth.  My routine is simple.  Other people might have a certain drink, read a book, play a certain song, do a certain stretch routine, etc.  It is just the idea of doing a routine every night that creates a habit.  That habit will eventually sink into your subconcious and you will relate that habit to going to sleep.
647143
At least an hour before you plan to go to bed, do something relaxing...anything...take a bath, listen to soothing tunes, read a book that is not too engrossing. That should help you to nod off. Don't rely on sleeping pills. You just have to make yourself calm down.
728413
time to take rest at night...
655467
A rigorous exercise set will release chemicals that will have you feeling pumped and refreshed even if you're exhausted before starting.\n\nAnd guided meditation (a half hour of deep breathing and mental and physical relaxation) can also give your mind the illusion that it's had a good night sleep already. But it's not a substitute, sleep a full 8 hours as soon as possible.
21604
Getting up and walking around helps a lot.  Drink some water.  Find a diversion that can keep you engaged for a minute or so when you get sleepy.  Sometimes when I get really tired in the afternoon I do math problems in my head or try to remember arcane facts about cars.  Q&A is also a good way to keep your mind alert...
116057
clear your mind of everything. let neutral thoughts flow through your mind. once you remembe you want to sleep fast you will screw everything, just foget about it and sleep will come on its own.
8424
well i suffer from it every once in a while. i use simply sleep or you can just get up leave your room and try and tire yourself out. read watch tv. mine is from the "buzz" of the day my mind wont shut down and watching tv doesnt tire it out i use pills for the short run bouts i have.
740814
I have a white noise machine that helps me sleep. It is relaxing.\nAlso try breathing in and out, really concentrating on the breathing slow and evenly. When you breathe out repeat the word "relax' in your mind. Starting at your toes and going up get your body parts to relax one area at a time as you exhale and say "relax". Sometimes the next morning I wake up and realize I never got past my thighs because I fell asleep.
387528
Sometimes you can literally be too tired to fall asleep - this is kind of dangerous as it makes people really cranky and a little crazy.  I had problems with noise and sleeping and I started sleeping with a fan on in my room on low.  The fan drowned out noise from other rooms and I could turn it up higher if the noise was loud - now I sleep through outside noise and can fall asleep easier, although I'm dependent on a fan to get to sleep.\n\nAlso - Valerian is a good herbal sleep aid.  Take one about an hour before you want to go to sleep.  If that doesn't help (do it regularly for a week), then take two an hour before you go to sleep.  Generally three of them will make a person groggy when they try to get up.
722710
Try taking like Motrin or Motrin pm, it helps to relax you. And when you go to sleep don't try  forcing yourself to sleep. Just try to meditate. It does work sometimes I have a hard time falling asleep too. Just take deep breaths and slow your breathing, it should help to make you tired and then you can go to sleep. Make sure the lights are off, it will help too. Hope this helps
1128561
Fresh air helps A LOT. If you can't get enough sleep and solve the problem that way, make sure you aren't in a closed in, stale space. Eat something like a piece of fruit or an energy bar. Drink something cold and non-alcoholic. Move around, stretch, take deep breaths.
826932
try drinking chamomile tea. it really relaxes you. i fall asleep late, too, but this tea really helps me to relax and feel sleepy.\n\nyou should make a doctor appointment and get their professional opinion very soon. gasping for air when you try to fall asleep is not a good sign. get help right away.
807491
Do not engage in any type of exercise 2 hrs prior to going to bed.  Try a glass of milk- it contains a protein that helps you sleep. Avoid caffeine:teas,coffee,sodas etc.. Comfortable pijamas,idealroom temp,reading a book,aviod a great movie or show it will keep u stimulated.  Good luck!
104900
I have several suggestions.  If you have trouble falling asleep, you may need to set your body clock - you do that by getting bright sunshine (or bright light) when you wake up in the morning.  Later in the day, don't eat any heavy protein meals, try to just have fruit or carbs late in the afternoon.  Sleep in a room that's as dark as you can make it.  Do something relaxing before you go to sleep - journaling is good because it gives your brain a place to dump all your thoughts and anxieties so you don't have to keep mulling them over as you lay there.  If you wake up in the middle of the night, say to go to the bathroom, try not to turn the light on as it sends a message to your brain that it's time to wake up.  And try doing some deep breathing at night - through your stomach, emphasizing the exhale, which is the relaxing portion of your breath.  (Ever listen to someone sleeping, they breath in sharply and exhale slowly.)\n\nGood luck.