First off, as you've probably heard before, if you consume anything with caffeine and tobacco in the late evening, you should stop doing so. Many people need their cup of "java" first thing each day to kick start their bodies. So, it's not hard to understand why caffeine would not be a good choice late at night if you want to get some decent sleep. One rule a lot of people follow - and it works well for them - is to set a time after which they will no longer drink anything containing caffeine. Herbal teas make a good substitute. One time that a lot of people say is successful is 4:00 pm. That gives their systems plenty of time to clean out any stimulants they may have consumed before they go to bed.
It is hard to sleep when it is hot, so it is pretty obvious that cooler rooms help in sleeping. During the summer this can be a problem, but during the winter months it is pretty easy to accomplish. Have a fan handy or an air conditioner that you can use to keep the room at a constant cool temperature during your sleeping hours. You might ordinarily be kept awake by background noises, but this can be prevented as you use your air conditioner as a "white noise" machine.
Resist any temptation to try sleep products sold at pharmacies over the counter. You should seek professional help if your sleeplessness feels like it needs an immediate remedy. If you start self-medicating with OTC sleep aids, you could easily develop a habit of taking them. The problem is, if these sleep aids are effective, then you'll soon feel like you have to take them every single night. Don't think that just because you don't need a prescription for a drug that it's safe or not habit forming. If you want to take something to help you sleep, you're better off sticking to natural and herbal products, though you should research these as well for things like side effects.
There are a lot of things that you can do to help yourself get a better night's sleep.
A doctor's advice is required if the cause of your insomnia is a health issue. Yet you can often get very good results by making some basic changes (your mattress, diet, nighttime routine, etc) and using some remedies you can buy in a store or online. Don't overlook these possible solutions to your sleeping problems, as they can be quite effective. You can get the sleep you need, so be patient and do some experimenting to find out which tactics or habits may hold the key to getting a good night's sleep.
