Proper Beauty Sleep

Start winding down a few hours before your actual bedtime.  Consciously leave all your must-do's for the next day, reassuring yourself with a written list of reminders.  Dim the lights and avoid all simulations such as caffeine, alcohol, upsetting conversations and violent television shows.

Tune into the sound of your own breath or the cadence of soothing music.  Run a warm (not scalding hot) bath and soak by candlelight, inhaling a favorite blend of relaxing essential oils in the vapors.

Examine the nagging thoughts that keep you awake at night.  Do you feel that by being on constant "fight or flight" alert you will better control outcomes?  Switch to a new mantra:  The more rest you get, the more efficient you will be.

Give up rigid expectations about how much sleep you  require.  Even night time wakefulness can be restful if you use it as a time for quiet meditation.  The more you trust in the natural processes and in life in general, the easier it will be to eventually get the right amount of sleep you really need.

*Reference: DailyMakeover