Not sleeping? You need a toolbox of strategies to get you there

I suppose I fit into the category of sleep disordered.  That is, I sleep well, every single night, except when I need to get up early for work.  This is a problem because I usually have to parent all day, and then take a class, sometimes 2 in the evening  Sometimes I feel totally mental because having a nana nap is not possible with a little one at home.

Search the internet and you will find hundreds of articles on sleep, or lack of, and what to do about this.  Sleep hygeine is what its called - obvious things like no caffeine after 4, no late night sport, and reduce the technology just before bed, try not to have day sleeps. . . .

After many many years of having this problem when I have to work any kind of shift that starts around 6am I decided to visit a naturopath with a yogic background who specialises in sleep.  I've have 2 early mornings since then, and not perfect, but improved sleep.

Here's what's in my toolbox of strategies to get me off to sleep
1:  Have to admit I take a sleeping tab to get me off - i was taking 1 1/2, now just the 1 - I plan to reduce and remove this when day light savings finishes next week and I'm really confident with the process
2:  I've convinced myself I'm going to have a crap nights sleep so I needed to change my internal dialogue - now I say 'let the darkness in'  I do this literally by leaving the curtains open, and I can see the stars - it's very calming to me
3:  Let the darkness in in other ways - dim lit rooms being key here
4:  deep abdominal breathing from 20 down to 1.  I think the lowest I've got is 8, but generally I lose the process and have to start again at 20.  Whatever, just roll with it
3:  Camomile tea, before bed, and during the night should I wake (yep its cold by then)
4:  A sleepy herbal brew before bed (yuk, but essential I am told)
5:  Full cream milk drink with ginger, cardamon and cinamon stick gently heated through over an hour, and then honey stirred through - just before bed
6:  No technology from 6.  No FB, computer, or stimulating telly

So that's my strategy, what works for you??