I Don't Know How To Fall Asleep!!

[ttyra]

I have a hard time going to sleep, sometimes it takes me hours to go to sleep. I do not want to take sleeping pills because I do not want to have to take them every time I go to sleep. I think about things to help me go to sleep, but I think that just makes my mind to occupied. I try to relax, but nothing works. What do I do????

[Dalubaba]

Yes  it is true, Nisualiztion does not work sometimes Different visiualizations, different technies have to be tried. it is na evolving process.
I have tried for years the two techniqes for quite some time.
Concentrate on feet. Imagine that your feet ihas expanded 3 to 4 feet.Concentrate on the new length of feet.Do it 10 times.Similarly expand your upper side (head) 10 times.This expansion and contraction appear to relax the body.
Second imagery I did was about Rehersal of death.Mentally rehersing the whole scene of death and being carried away and on funerap pyre. seen the body being burnt to ashes.People going back and you lookong at  your ashes.
This scenario appears to be  quite negative. Purpose of this imagery is to be free form fear of death. and get relaxed.This was recommended by an eminent preacher. I have done this iimagery for 8 years. I cant say positively that i am free from fear of death. However it was a good experience..
Imagery you have described is quite popular and effective too.
Thanks

[margypops]

Visualisation works most times for me but not every night, and I do wake up 2-3 hours later, I visualise a  beach,  I walk along  it looking at the Ocean and the sand, just wandering,, can be a garden or any quiet special place,,I use the same vision  each night and in a few mins am asleep...doesnt work each time but does work a lot. try it.

[Dalubaba]

Yoga, meditation, acupressure, worm bath before sleeping, counting backwards, yog nidre,, massaging soles of feet with  oil, counting breathing back word(from 100 to 1),foot bath with worm water. these are worth trying. It may help you in other way as well.