The other week Yahoo news featured this article on 10 ways to obtain a better sleep.  I do not necessarily agree with everything stated in the article, but at least found it amusing if not potentially beneficial.  I can't say I have ever suffered from insomnia, but through my life there have been a number of occasions where trying to fall asleep has been a challenge--due to excitement, anxiety, fear, stress, noise/distractions, sickness or bodily injuries, etc.  Probably all of us at some point in our lives has had difficulty falling asleep a time or two.  I would also add a couple more to this list, such as prayer and reading, but many of their suggestions could be successful in helping someone achieve sleep.  Take a look at this article and see what you think.
1. Practice good "sleep hygiene."

• overall, this one makes sense
  

2. Break the rules when necessary.

• changing things up, i have found to be helpful in getting sleep
  

3. Develop a pre-bed relaxation ritual.

• not sure exactly what mine would be--i know i at least have to go to the bathroom before even thinking about sleeping
  

4. Try not to self-medicate.

• i cannot vouch myself for the effectiveness of sleep meds because I have never used them.  I have friends who have used them and worked.  Everyone's bodies can respond differently to them, especially if you consider their tolerance levels.
  

5. Don't drink to sleep.

• I have never tried this.  I suppose if I drank too much, I might wake up with a nasty headache in the morning HAHA.
  

6. Create a barrier between work and sleep.

• I like this idea.  Giving oneself some separation between these two activities might allow for their body to change modes from being active to relaxation prior to sleeping.
  

7. Don't "catastrophize."

• Fretting over the inability to sleep just makes the situation worse.
  

8. Retreat to a "safe room."

• I've done this before to varying degrees.  It has helped me.
  

9. Exercise.

• I'm usually too lazy to try this when I can't fall asleep HAHA
  

10. Not working? Talk to your doctor.
Now I am going to be heading for bed shortly.

http://health.yahoo.com/featured/6/10-ways-to-get-better-sleep-and-maybe-cure-your-insomnia/  
(For some reason this didn't turn into a hyperlink, so you will have to copy-paste it to your address bar.)

Think of this song even on the darkest of days.