Have you ever tried to solve all of your problems before bed? Chances are you didn't get much sleep that night, or any other night you laid down, attempting to work everything out. And there's a reason you couldn't sleep: you got into your own head. You worried about too much and likely solved too little. Which only made you stress more and stay awake longer. It's a cycle that gets stronger throughout the night, and the longer you try and forget or calm down, the worse it becomes.

It's how some folks feel after too much caffeine, and it's how others become when anxious or worried, no matter what time of day. But despite what it is that actually sets you off, it's safe to say the process is no way to gain sleep.

Ending the No-Sleep Cycle

One of the best ways to clear your head at night is to ensure you took care as many of your daily needs as possible. Wake up early and accomplish as much as you can. Stick to a schedule, or plan out each of your tasks with clear deadlines. This will make your body and your mind more tired, therefore encouraging better and deeper sleep. But it's also a practice that will bring on peace of mind. You did all you can do for a single day – everything else will have to wait; you gave the day your best shot. Doing anything else was impossible.

Planning small steps to bigger outcomes can also make huge tasks feel less overwhelming, and therefore less likely to keep you awake at night.

Next, set yourself up for a relaxing environment. Make your bedroom (and bed) cozy. Avoid work or paper filing in the bedroom, instead quarantine them to a home office or designated area that's out of sight. That way you're not reminded of what needs to be done when you're settling down. Avoid TV or phone use when gearing in for sleep – while it might seem like a good time to "catch up," it's a routine that lets light and sound creep into your stream of consciousness.

Soothing scents and sounds (like white noise) can also do wonders for relaxation – or practice breathing exercises to ease into a slower pace of events.

Be sure to go to bed as soon as you're tired. Staying up later to try and become more tired is terrible logic – it just throws the body out of whack. Yet it's a common practice among those suffering from insomnia or who take sleep aides. As you become tired, lay down and allow yourself to drift off. This feeling means the body is ready to sleep, and it full of sleep-ready chemicals. If you wait and put off bedtime, you're more likely to "catch a second wind," which will make you more alert and set you into a whole new bodily cycle. Ever wake up early after going to bed late? This is exactly why – your sleep hormones are off, and in order to set them right, you should go to bed as soon as you feel the need.

Now comes the tricky part: getting out of your own head. The harder it is to fall asleep, the more you worry about it, and ironically, keep yourself up in the process. It's a tough balance to find, but you need to convince yourself you can sleep. That your body is capable and ready to rest all on its own. After all, the harder you try to find it, the better sleep will hide.