Here are some tips on getting to sleep or just dealing with restlessness.

1. Go to bed drowsy.

Sometimes the issue is that you are going to bed wound up and not able to sleep because you are not physically or mentally ready to sleep. By entering your bed, only when truly ready to sleep, you increase the likelihood of actually succeeding. To help with this avoid caffeine after early afternoon, don't exercise vigorously past late afternoon, and don't have heavy discussion before bed or in bed.

• Try a sleep inducing snack.

Comfort food isn't always bad. There are some snacks that might actually be helpful in promoting sleep. Warm milk really can do the trick.

1. Warm water.

A bath or shower can help you relax you and prepare for sleep.

• Reading or other mindless work.

Reading, doing small craft projects or even a tiny bit of mindless television can help you shut down your brain. We can go to bed with our mind racing with all you need to do and think about. By giving yourself a chance to shut it off you can help prepare yourself for sleep. Avoid reading tense novels, mysteries or scary books if that upsets you in anyway. Switch off the laptop well before bed. Keep it light and soothing!

1. Get up.

When all else fails, don't lay in bed. Get up, do something, even if it's just changing locations. Set a time limit of 30 or 60 minutes that you'll stay in bed trying to fall asleep or back to sleep. Fighting it can only be more frustrating. And sometimes you can be very productive in the middle of the night alone.

Related:

• How Much Sleep Do We Need?
• Tips for a good night's sleep