by Conny Manero

Created on: November 28, 2009   Last Updated: November 29, 2009

Some people fall asleep the moment their head hits the pillow. Other lay there, staring at the ceiling. If you are one of those who count sheep and stare at the ceiling, waiting for the sandman to come, there are a few things you can do to fall asleep faster.

Have a cup of Chamomile tea half an hour before going to bed. In addition to being an antioxidant and pain reliever, chamomile is a mild sedative, relaxing the brain muscles.

While sitting up in bed, sipping your tea, read a few pages of a book. Reading is relaxing, and there is nothing like reading about someone else's problems to forget about your own.

Try a fabric softener with a lavender scent or put a drop of lavender on either side of your pillow. Lavender relaxes the nervous system and has a calming, soothing effect, as such inducing sleep.

Have a sound system in your bedroom. With a selection of relaxing CDs, you can imagine yourself in a meadow enjoying the call of various birds, or being on a cruise ship listening to the waves of the ocean.

Try taking a couple of deep breaths, exhaling slowly. Count down from ten to one, imagining yourself descending a staircase to a beautiful, peaceful garden.

Resist glancing at your alarm clock. Turn the face of the clock away from you, or cover it up. Knowing how long you've been waiting to fall asleep and realizing how few hours you have left until you have to get up again, will only upset you.

Try going to bed around the same time every night. Establishing a pattern will regulate your inner clock and reduce the time you spend tossing and turning.

Try not to toss and turn. Stay in one position and enjoy your surroundings. The nice, warm, soft bed; the silence or as the case may be, they sounds of the city. Don't resist them, embrace them. They are part of your world.

If you have a cat, encourage it to sleep with you. The warmth of its fur and the soft purring sound might you just put you to sleep too.

If you tried all kinds of ways of getting to sleep and nothing works, get up and do something. Make yourself another cup of tea; have snack; sit in the living room and read a few pages; pick out tomorrow outfit; anything at all as long as it gives you some distraction. Even a few exercises might help. Work on that flat belly and do a few sit ups.

If the problem persists, maybe it's time to see a doctor.

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