When thoughts, worries and ideas whirl around your head at night, it can feel impossible to fall asleep at all, let alone quickly. Yet it is possible to fall asleep fast, it just takes a few changes to your daily habits. Try the following techniques to encourage faster sleeping in your life.

1. Turn off all electronics. To fall asleep, your body increases levels of hormones which induce sleepiness as it gets darker outside.

2. Take a hot shower. Raising the temperature of your skin increases those feelings of sleepiness and makes your journey to deep sleep happen a bit faster.

3. Cool off your room. Hot skin and a cool room are the perfect combination for falling asleep quickly.

4. Keep it dark. Bright lights, not just from electronics, can be a big damper on falling asleep.

5. Read a book. Reading is a wonderful way to reduce stress and help your mind to unwind.

6. Write in a journal. If you find that your mind simply won’t turn off or you struggle with daily stress as you try to fall asleep, clear your mind by writing in a journal.

7. Indulge yourself in a warm drink. Sipping on something warm and calming will relax your body and mind.

8. Change your angle. If you sleep on your back, your airways are blocked off and increase your likelihood for snoring.

9. Adjust your pillows. Ideally, you want to sleep so that your neck is in a straight line. If necessary, position a pillow between your knees to keep your hips in a neutral position.

10. Take a supplement. Many herbs and minerals have been used for centuries to aid in sleeping.

11. Take melatonin. This is the hormone responsible for inducing the feelings of sleep you have when it gets dark outside.

12. Make yourself comfortable. Avoid tight or uncomfortable clothes like socks and hair bands.

13. Adjust your sleeping surface. If your mattress is getting saggy or pokey, flip it over. If it’s too firm, cover it with a foam pad.

14. Reduce unwanted noise. Turn on a white noise generator or a recording of sounds from nature.

15. Use aromatherapy. Studies show that using lavender essential oils helps to relax the body and create a comfortable surrounding for sleep.

16. Count sheep. Well, don’t really count sheep. But try counting!