For a while, I would do a crossword puzzle before bed. Specifically - tough ones that make you do letter permutations to get solutions (ax,ay,az,ba,bb,bc).
Also, make sure you get cold before you get in bed. Chill is actually a strong sleep signal. If I am laying in bed before sleeping, I make sure I am on top of the covers until I sleep.
Lately though, I have been using my phone much more before bed time. Solitaire games, engineering videos on Youtube, or Wikipedia articles. Blue light filter or no - so long as I stay away from news and opinion, I actually haven't really had a problem. (It's probably still not for the best that I am training my brain that technical content = sleep)
I like reading but if it's a book I'm interested in I tend to read the whole thing and then it's 4am and I haven't slept much at all. Another problem is that I'm reading on my phone and the temptation of YouTube is just a few swipes away. The technical stuff I like to watch often wakes me up since it is quite interesting.
Also, make sure you get cold before you get in bed. Chill is actually a strong sleep signal. If I am laying in bed before sleeping, I make sure I am on top of the covers until I sleep.
Lately though, I have been using my phone much more before bed time. Solitaire games, engineering videos on Youtube, or Wikipedia articles. Blue light filter or no - so long as I stay away from news and opinion, I actually haven't really had a problem. (It's probably still not for the best that I am training my brain that technical content = sleep)