I deal with insomnia on a pretty regular basis. I have had problems getting to sleep at a decent hour for going on 25 years now. Here is some of my best advice for getting to sleep at a decent time and feeling rested the next day.

1. Take a warm bath. Don't make it too hot or it will drain your body and exhaust you. You merely want it to be warm so you'll relax. Throw in some bath salts or Epsom salt and baking soda. Not only will these relax you but, they will also remove toxins from your body.
2. Listen to soothing music. Sounds of nature or water rippling gently will surely help to lull you off to sleep. There are many cd's and recordings out there just for this purpose. It is well worth the investment for a few hours of shut-eye.
3. Drink warm herb tea or milk before going to bed. Warm milk calms the nervous system. Chamomile, catnip, annis and fennel tea all contain natural ingredients that will help you sleep. You can usually buy herbal tea at a health food store specifically to aid in sleeping.
4. Always avoid alcohol, caffeine and tobacco. I know it seems pretty obvious but some people forget. Black tea, chocolate and cola flavored soda all have caffeine. Research shows that both alcohol and tobacco upset deep sleep, preventing you from feeling rested. (This is the one piece of my own advice that I am very, very bad at heeding.)

5. Exercise daily. Exercising every day gives your body the activity and oxygen it needs to wind down. Even 15 minutes a day is enough for your body to get worked up enough to be able to relax when it's time.
6. Get up earlier and go to bed at the same time each night. Waking up earlier will inevitably make you more sleepy after a few days of being up too late. Keeping a regular sleeping schedule will put your body on a time clock and it will expect to go to sleep when it's time.
7. Keep your bedroom for sleeping. Don't clutter it up with a bunch of knickknacks, a noisy t.v. or a bright illuminated alarm clock. Your body needs peace and quiet to rest deeply.
8. Don't read or watch television before trying to sleep. I know people do this but, it is bad for you. Reading and watching t.v., no matter how passive we are about it, is still stimulating. Your brain doesn't need to be in that stimulated, anxious, busy state. It needs to be calm and relaxed.
9. Think of something boring. Yes, you read that right. For me, it's football all winter long. All I have to do is think about seeing a football game on t.v. and I start yawning. Think of whatever it is that bores you most and imagine you are doing it as you try to sleep. You'll most likely be overwhelmed with the urge to close your eyes.
10. If all else fails, see your doctor. Lack of sleep is no laughing matter. It can cause emotional and mental imbalances, not to mention just plain make you look like something out of a horror movie. Your doctor can prescribe a mild sleep aid that is just right for your individual needs.

Needless to say, not all of these techniques will work for everyone. Try a few, see how it goes for you. At least one or two should prove helpful. Of course, I shouldn't need to say (but I will) there's no guarantees here. I'm not a doctor so I'm not going to pretend to give medical advice. If you feel you need medical help, please schedule an appointment with your family doctor.

I hope you find these tips helpful. I wish you good luck and a long, restful, deep sleep!