You Are Getting Sleepy, Very Sleepy:

Since December 9, 2008, I have had absolutely no problem falling asleep -- chasing around a two-year-old all day long will do that to you! I'm always exhausted and when my head hits the pillow at night, Sayonara -- I am OUT! But a hot topic for my circle of friends is the fact that they just can't fall sleep. No matter how hard they try, Mr. Sandman is elusive and Prince Ambien is their hero.

For four years, I've been getting a monthly newsletter from MetLife called "Life Advice." An article in this month's edition gives tips for getting a good night's sleep, some I've heard before and some I haven't:

Remember that you were designed to need lots of sleep. Before the advent of electricity, most humans slept from sunset to sunrise. Natural doctors believe that the organs detoxify during the hours of midnight to 3:00 am, and that if you force your body to stay awake, you rob yourself of these self-healing benefits.

Go to bed and get up at about the same time every day, even on the weekends. Sticking to a schedule helps regulate your body's sleep-wake cycle and makes falling asleep easier.

Pick a time to turn off the TV, computer, phone, etc. and stick to it. Consider making 10:00 pm -- ideally, even earlier -- the cut-off for all electronics. It takes your brain time to wind down after stimulation. (This holds especially true for teenagers and young children.)

Try to stop fiddling around by 9:00 pm. If the dishes are still in the sink, leave them there until morning. Every time you re-rev yourself with activity, you sabotage your good night's sleep.

Limit your liquids before bedtime; avoid late-night snacking and late, heavy dinners. Avoid nicotine, caffeine and alcohol in the evening. All three drugs can wreak havoc on your sleep.

Exercise regularly. Regular exercise can help you fall asleep quicker and sleep more soundly. Exercise at least three hours before bedtime.

Create a cool, dark, quiet bedroom. Make sure your bed and mattress are comfortable. Use blackout curtains, if necessary. Sleep with earplugs and/or an eye mask. Cozy up with extra blankets. Take whatever measures are necessary to create a serene and sleep-friendly environment.

Sleep primarily at night. Catnapping makes it harder to fall asleep at night. Remember that your body needs deep, restful, long sleep to heal and rejuvenate, and the best time for that is at night.

Create a bedtime ritual. Having a routine signals your body that it's time for sleep. A warm bath or soaking your feet in warm water may help you sleep. Also, lying on the floor with your legs up against a wall at a ninety-degree angle can help your body prepare for sleep. Relaxing routines done with lowered lights can help ease the transition between wakefulness and sleepiness.

Avoid worrying about whether or not you'll fall asleep, that's a sure way to make certain you don't.