Insomnia for me was never about anxiety, but more of a challenge for my mind to quit wandering and wondering long enough to lapse into a blissful sleep. Once I fell asleep, I could stay asleep, but most nights, I found myself staring at the ceiling wondering what I would have for breakfast, where I'd start tomorrow's run, and what great inventions were a direct result of NASA. Yes, sometimes I even wondered about NASA when all I really wanted was to sleep.
A doctor recommended meditation, and having nothing to lose and everything to gain, I started to try it. I experimented with meditation and found myself enjoying the process, even on the days that I felt like I had failed. Spoiler alert: you can't fail at meditation. Even days you feel less clear-headed than others, you still reap the advantages. For me, the most prominent advantage was deep, restful, and immediate sleep.
As my practice became more consistent and I became more comfortable with the idea of not obeying every thought or question I suffered while I tried to sleep, I was falling asleep more quickly and staying asleep longer. Even the process of falling asleep was more pleasant. Instead of staying awake and judging myself for not being able to fall asleep, I enjoyed the relaxing process of actively not engaging with my thoughts. If you've had trouble falling or staying asleep, you literally have nothing to lose by trying meditation.
Meditation is free, and you can do it alone, anytime, and anywhere you need a few minutes of peace or sleep. If you're new to meditation, there are really only three rules you need to know to make it help you fall and stay asleep: