Since a number here have issues with sleeping... oftentimes this can be resolved naturally with a few simple techniques.
Might be worth a shot!

The 2 top vids are by Prune Harris, English woman who works with energy medicine techniques:
[url}http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=prune+harris+sleep{/url]

EFT (Emotional Freedom Tapping) with Brad Yates:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b3VadMr7HI

You could try tapping with Nick Ortner for anxiety and stress, which could be the cause even if you think you're not stressed at all. Most people are always in stress due to how we live and our societies, which is why we perceive it as normal.
So it might still help to do this!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=02bN4JFx10Y

Or search for other tapping for sleep vids here:
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=nick+ortner+sleep+tapping

A specific natural energy clip to get melatonin going so you can sleep. By Melanie Smith. She's great and studied several alternative methods (qualified in them). I did the nervus vagus course with her, that's how I know her. She's great!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=61I42Wa8rBI

Alternatively, if you can medically take it, melatonin pills could be helpful as this hormone is what gets you to sleep.
It should be made by the pineal gland at night, but if that system doesn't work well -often when people get older- you could try taking pills.
I believe they go over the counter, but I'd ask my GP nonetheless.

Also make sure you have a healthy rhythm, meaning no busyness in the evening.
In the evening your brain has to be allowed to shift into Alpha brainwaves as it slows down. This is prepping for sleep.
If you keep yourself busy, even on the pc with lots of reading and posting and so on, you stay in Beta which doesn't help to sleep.
So make sure you unwind in the evening. NO bright lights either as this stimulates serotonin, the waking-day hormone. DIM the lights!

Maybe some li'l tricks can help you sleep:
I notice when I'm restless that using one or 2 earplugs helps tremendously! The waxy ones, not the foams ones.
This helps because I then know I won't be disturbed by sounds and then I can let go and relax, and I sleep within minutes.
I use it during storm nights or to shut out potential sounds from neighbours early in the morning (they tend to be quite noisy).
It helps to let go of that anxiety, let go, relax, and then sleep :)
This trick might work for you as well even if there is no storm or neighbours.

Another one could be using sound. Tons of nature sound vids on YouTube, totally free, that last for hours. Maybe having a bubbling brook or wind through trees with chirping birds can help you relax & sleep all through the night!

Find something that appeals, and do it for several nights to see if it works. Don't give up after one time only as it may take your body (brain esp.) a little time to shift into a new mode.
It's like any habit you want to let go of: it can take a bit of time!

Happy sleepzzz (I hope!)

How thoughtful to post about sleep problems

As you know I’ve suffered with insomnia for the best part of 40 yrs and have tried a few things including hypnotherapy and acupuncture to no avail. I’ve lived with this for so long now it’s become the norm for me so I’m no longer seeking treatments.

Not sure if it’s genetic or not but my mum said that my dad was exactly the same as he got by with very little sleep also. I’m pretty sure my problem started when my ex and I had a dairy and we had to get up around 3am to start the day. We did that for almost 30 yrs and I guess my body clock got out of sync after such a long time.

I will, however, look at the links you so kindly provided

Yeah, when you've had a certain rhythm for that long it can take time to change it.
And there is of course no need to attempt that, only if you experience it as problematic.
And if it doesn't change and is a problem you could resort to pills from the doctor.
My mom has been doing that for close to 40 years I think. She cannot fall asleep as her mind start churning. This could've been sorted but now after such a long time... I think it could still be done, but it would take dedication and willpower as I likely the brain will need to be rewired to do it's normal thing again.

In any case, it's up to people themselves of course.
And if you or others want to try something, then maybe I have been of help :)

I have had a brief period of not being able to fall asleep, due to stress.
And of late sometimes cannot fall asleep due to post menopausal changes. Seems to come with that?
I SO hate it when lying there, really tired, but unable to switch off, hihi.
Currently it's going well again, thank goodness!

Yes, menopause certainly doesn’t help the situation.

I have absolutely no trouble getting to sleep but my problem is staying asleep! My body seems to think one hour of sleep is sufficient haha.

Another thing that is interesting, and might be worth investigating:

You need specific amino acids to sleep! I had no idea, hihi. Can't know everything, the body is so intricate...

Long story short: post-menopausal I suddenly had difficulty sleeping -first time in my life-, occasionally had li'l heart flutters, and the occasional warm wave (not a real hot flash).
I took a supplement Linidol that countered this all as it stabilises hormonal balance.

It has linseed extract, broccoli (for DIM) and L-Glutathion.
The latter is a combi of 3 important amino acids.

A shortage of L-Glutathion can be the cause of not sleeping.

You can buy this as a supplement, but I'm always a fan of going via an expert, in this case likely an orthomolecular therapist as they know about all this.
Since the body's systems and workings are so delicate and intricate I don't like sodding around by myself.

Now I got the supplement Linidol which has all 3 that are so important for a woman to have balanced hormones -which includes being able to sleep.

You need to take the right amount of L-Glutathion as when it's too low a dosage it'll be broken down in the gut before it can take effect.
So in Linidol there's 100mg which is recommended.
Reduced Glutathion is one of the best forms, which is in this supplement too.

I don't know if this supplement is available abroad, but it might be worth looking into this info if you have sleep problems.
If not, you can still go for a L-Glutathion supplement of 100mg.

I can say it works a treat. Taking it for a few days and I sleep like a baby again.

Only bummer: it isn't cheap, as in E30 - E42 for 30 capsules.
And you have to keep using it.

The only time I have trouble falling asleep is in the dead of Summer when it is hot and humid out. I am not a fan of complete quiet and dark so I run a small fan all year round just to keep the air circulating. On those days when the humidity is unbearable I have a machine that plays the sounds of water. Sometimes rain falling, waves crashing on a shore and even a small thunderstorm. It is uncanny how well it works and helps me to fall asleep.

Here's another one: chick peas!!
Stuff in there does something to the brain and its hormones/substances so it's easy to fall asleep and/or sleep all through the night!!
A bit of hummus before bed can do the trick.

It can also be beneficial for blood sugar.
Let the good Motivational Doc explain all that, just a short vid of a few mins :)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_DT5oV-l2rE



Another one that can help you sleep, non food related.
I tried it when lying down in bed, doesn't work for me on my side. But... I did it whilst sitting up in bed last night and I fell asleep super easy!
Esp. the first position works a treat for me. I start yawning right away.
Apparently holding the head down a bit (chin to a little toward your chest) calms the nervous system. Works in seconds for me!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_uIJfGdaPGg

I been a chronic insomniac for the past three decades -- could go days without sleep and such.

A year ago i started OTC melotonin, i take two circa 5pm and crash out by 11pm the latest, sometimes even 6pm. The trick for me was, if i was tired i would drop everything and go to bed.

I also have a few tricks i play on my self -- i will start watching some tv series in bed.. if i crash out before i see the end of an episode, the next night i restart same episode, and I may have to repeat again the next night if i crash out again.

I still get the kray-kray stay up all night woes but it is less often and based on my smart watch sleep pattern this year i have averaged 9h16m per night sleep.

https://au.iherb.com/pr/21st-century-quick-dissolve-melatonin-cherry-10-mg-120-tablets/52436

Your mind has grown accustomed to the lack of sleep when you had to get up early for dairy