-Well for starters you have to be tired. I usually get tired and ready for bed after 16 hours, so get up early! -Don't drink caffeinated beverages after 1pm (depends on your sensitivity to it as well). -If you can, take a walk or just relax and watch the sunset (helps produce melatonin, and tells your body the day is over and it is time to sleep). -A few hours before your desired bedtime, start turning off all of the lights (go dim). It will help tremendously by telling your body it is time to sleep. -When getting to bed for sleep, despite the obvious comfortable bed, pillow and sheets. Make sure your room is completely pitch dark, no outside street lights shining in, no alarm clock light, no computer/modem lights flashing, nothing. Take out your ticking clock if you can. I usually set my phone on flight mode, and use it as my alarm. The complete darkness will help you go to sleep without any disturbances, waking up in the middle of the night and seeing light prevents you from going back to sleep immediately. If you have to get to bed, melatonin supplements essentially help by telling your body it is darkness and time for bed, I don't take it unless I have to because I'm prone to joint pain.