I go through spurts of it... I talked to a doctor once and he gave me the following suggestions, because I, too, don't like medicine.. Generally they work.
1. Don't keep a TV in the bedroom.. I don't follow this one because I like background noise when I sleep.
2. Leave work at work..
3. If something is bothering you or on your mind, right it down. Keep a pen and paper by your bed.. When your mind starts to go crazy, write a stream of consciousness.. Whatever pops in your mind, write it down. This was the most helpful. Instead of analyzing one thing to death, you keep moving on. The next day I usually go over what I wrote and realize I solved most things that were on my mind.
4. If you are a coffee/tea/soda drinker, avoid caffeine after noon... This includes chocolate.

They seem like trivial things, but they really work.

Good luck... I know how tough it can be.

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"I'd much rather be a woman than a man. Women can cry, they can wear cute clothes, and they are the first to be rescued off of sinking ships."
— Gilda Radner

I agree with all of these although sometimes none of it helps me either. I've had acute insomnia and even somnambulism for years. I had a shrink tell me, among other things, that being under a lot of stress at the time, my mind was trying to work everything out in it's own way. I kind of, hide my car keys and lock an extra lock that I don't normally when awake or not having bouts of insomnia too. Keeping a journal helps. It focuses my mind and lets my brain talk to my hands. Not on the computer but with pen and paper. It's also why I started writing stories. I don't write erotica but I do write stories.
Also exhausting oneself seems to help sometimes too.(exercise) Other times, not so much.
Warm milk does not do it for me but sometimes cold helps. A snifter of brandy or even at times a joint. I've tried many things over the years. But it doesn't last for terribly long periods. Different foods make a difference too. The tryptophan in turkey, fresh, not deli, makes me sleepy too.

At side of underlaying causes that may need to be investigated by a physician, the below info should give you relief.

Create a sleeping pattern by going to sleep and waking up at a set time, no matter what. Help yourself with Melatonin, but have your bedroom completely dark, no faint lights whatsoever, Melatonin will not give you the intended result if there’s light. Our body already makes melatonin, but not if it's "noon" in your bedroom. Most window shades let to much light in the room.

Drink Chamomile tea (NOT for pregnant women), two bags in about 10 oz of water, let it steep for 15 min, regardless of what is says on the box than sip it slowly as you relax and unwind in a comfortable chair. Have a cup (only one bag) in the afternoon so to get accustomed with the taste if you never drank it, please no sugar.
Chamomile has a proven calming effect, it does not have of course caffeine. It's made from a flower of a plant similar to a daisy.
Of course you should discontinue any caffeinated beverages by the early afternoon. If any at all.

If you use an alarm put it away were you cannot see the time or shine it's light on you. There are so many other helpful proactive actions that you can also take.

Start to slowly unwind at least two hours before your set bedtime, no hard music, no checking bills, etc.
If you still cannot sleep. DO NOT STAY in bed, just get up, sit at a table and relax, think of what is been bothering you. You will come up with the answer! You probably should try this first!

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Practice what you know, and it will help to make clear what now you do not know. — Rembrandt

There is poetry as soon as we realize that we possess nothing. — John Cage

I can't honestly claim to know much about this and I don't suffer but there is a brilliant TV program running in the UK called The Food Hospital. It uses real patients to show how many health problems can be cured or improved by simple changes of lifestyle and diet.

Have a look at: http://foodhospital.channel4.com/conditions/insomnia/

Good luck.

Ah Melatonin... Where would I be without you?

On a serious note, if you want to start taking the above substance talk to your doctor first to help you figure out how much to take, and don't hassle them to make it higher if it doesn't work as they'll just say there isn't enough proof to do that. (Trust me, I've tried)

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Teased and Tormented -My very first story and competition entry is now up!

I've had insomnia on and off the past few months. When I do have it, I try and write out my problems or thoughts in a journal before I go to bed. I usually figure out why I'm not sleeping after a short time. I've also found that drinking some herbal tea can help, as long as I don't drink too much. some natural sleep aid tea has had valarium root in it.
A hot shower and a clean bed, i'm out for the night.

And when all else fails......

Masturbation helps

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listening to some slow and favourite songs helps get out the stress and a nice shower will be nice for getting some good sleep..Sleeping for 8 hours min should be followed..

i usually run to melatonin but i cant take it right now cus im pregnant. warm baths help, yoga or a walk too but sometimes that seems to energize me. watching the clock and calculating how much sleep ill get is the worst so i stay away from clocks. reading will sometimes knock me out. hot herbal tea is nice and sometimes helps especially try camomile~ good luck i know it sucks to be stressing over sleep at night and feel exhausted during the day!

Try Celestial Seasonings Sleepytyme Extra (has Valerian root) Make sure you get the Extra, the regular "Sleepytyme" has no Valerian. I'm a massive insomniac and have tried everything non-prescription and this seems to help. I find having an active day makes a big difference.

I am an insomniac. I have found that taking a melatonin about 30 minutes with a small glass of red wine (I prefer cabernet savignon) 30 minutes before bedtime greatly helps me get to sleep.

Melatonin is available over the counter at any drugstore or drug department of those big box megastores.

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Please check out my newest story: "10 Items Or Less"
http://www.lushstories.com/stories/milf/10-items-or-less.aspx
Or my previous story: http://www.lushstories.com/stories/straight-sex/in-the-land-of-salvation-and-sin.aspx

I had a bit o' trouble with insomnia once and talked to a psychologist about it. She told me to concentrate on holding my tongue still as I attempted to go to sleep. Ever since then I've never had that problem again. It really works..............

I battle bouts of insomnia from time to time and have found the shower followed by Melatonin works great for me most nights. If not, I always have a bottle of Nyquil handy - a couple of swigs of that and I fall into a coma-induced, drooling stupor

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NOTE: I'm not a medical professional. The best thing I can recommend is to consult a medical professional before using ANY of these. Some of these may not sound risky (seriously, reading a book doesn't sound too dangerous), but a medical professional should be consulted before ingesting anything new or trying something physical.

What sleeping pills have you tried? I've tried a number of sleeping pills myself, and they don't really work.

I use melatonin as well every so often. I've also tried relaxation drinks like Drank and Marley Mellow Mood, which have a cocktail of minor natural depressants. I don't remember the specific ingredient list, but they list it on the side of the bottle/can.

I've also had better luck when masturbating before bed. (Speaking as a single guy.)

Also, if you eat anything within about three or four hours after bed, or drink caffeine within that period, you're more likely to have issues getting to sleep. Some food may appear to make you sleepy, but you fall asleep better on an empty stomach.

Also, looking at a backlit screen (cell phone, computer, TV) before bed makes you less sleepy. About an hour before bed, try reading a book or newspaper (not on a Kindle or Nook).

after trying a lot of things (not any over the counter or prescribed sleeping pills) ---I find a hot shower, clean sheets and comfy pjs helps most of the time... when it doesn't I use melatonin- guarantees a good night sleep for me. Mediation also helps relax me...I need to go back to that.