I screw around for a while because I'm too tired to really do anything. . .then I take a shower, put on lotion (if it's winter or I'm in a dry place), put a towel where my head's going to be, make sure my alarm's set, and hop in bed. Not literally, most days.

Karen. 20
Marshelltown/Ames, IA

I try to concentrate on pleasant thoughts. Frequently this exercise reminds me of a venerable Catch-22 situation: When you see a white horse, you will be given your heart's desire, providing you don't think about the white horse's tail. Nevertheless, I try to avoid a hamster-wheel obsession with he horse's tail events of the day.

Jill, 59
Saylorsburg, PA

Wash my face, take my pill, put on pajamas, put on lotion, set the alarms (security and clock), turn on the lamp, turn off the light, and either pluck my eyebrows, write in my journal, or read until I fall asleep. I'm pretty predictable.

Amy, 23
Baton Rouge, LA

Usually, I fight off sleep as much as possible and usually end up dozing in front of the televsion set w/ my housemates saying I really should go to bed. I then resign myself to the fact that the day must end and I brush my teeth, take out my contact lenses if I've worn them that day, head upstairs, throw all the pillows that clog my bed onto the floor, undress and pull on my pajamas (which this time of year are plaid flannel), get into bed, set the alarm, and attempt to calm my mind. I usually fall to sleep right away (since I was already dozing downstairs). I don't wake up until about 5 minutes before the alarm rings in the morning.

Felicia, 34
Somerville, MA

I always have to brush my teeth before I go to sleep. Say my prayers, stuff like that. Unless I fall asleep accidentally. That only happens when I am very tired. I also put a small tub under the tap in the bath  tub. It leaks a bit, and drops of water come out every 10 seconds or so. We lost about two litres a day. I put the small tub there, and water plants with the water. And I go to the washroom before I sleep. Can't go to sleep without peeing first. I don't know why?…

Ray, 17
Toronto  CANADA

Some days I add a few things, but most days it's like this: I make sure the bedspead is on fairly straight and look to see if anything is on the floor. Then, I turn off the lights and make my way to the bed. I also set my alarm clock after that. Some days I plug in my discman and listen to that, but everything is always in the dark.

Elizabeth, 18
Rochester, MN

Drudge...remove make up/moisturize...and then lie there, finally at peace, with a snack...hope my dentist doesn't read this...and catch up on some reading.

Helena, 31
Sydney  AUSTRALIA

I talk to my fiancee every night before I go to bed, he lives a little ways away from me, so I only get to see him twice a week. Because of that, I talk to him every night so that we can keep up with each other. I usually watch TV for a little bit until I feel sleepy, and that's after I do the usual washing my face/brushing & flossing my teeth.

Nicole
Elk Grove, CA

I just keep doing whatever I am until I can do nothing more than crawl bedwards. After 18 years in my parents house where frequent insomnia was mistaken for being a difficult bastard, I refuse to lie in bed and wait to fall asleep. I have spent more time doing this than I have making love, and this is disquieting to me.

Anthony, 24
Baton Rouge, LA

Brush my teeth and hair, chase the dogs to the bed so I can get the best spot and read in bed until I'm sleepy.

Laura, 34
Lowell, MA

get tired, undress, set alarm if needed.

Alias Irrelevante

Due to my crazy schedule I really don't have any rituals. . .I sleep anywhere I can practically. . .on a park bench, a bus seat or in front of the telly buzzing out Bewitched or I Dream of Jeannie. . .

mothmc, 35
Pensacola, FL

Go to the toilet, flush, watch my hands and face, brush my teeth. Drink a cup of water, fill up a cup of water for the bedstand and set my alarm clock.

Janet, 42
E. Brunswick, NJ

Lock the door, round up my cats so they don't fight with my roommate's cats all night, take off my clothes, and get in bed. If it's cold I might put on a t-shirt. Then I set my alarm clock and then spend an hour or two trying to get to sleep.

Kristin, 20
IA  USA

Yesterday / Tomorrow