When I went to Alcoholics anonymous, they always said "nobody ever died from lack of sleep" many years later, I don't drink anymore, but my medical insurance won't pay for Xanax or Clonazapan (sleep inducers) because its not a life threatening illness
I have had problems sleeping for years, so I empathize with you. I have suffered from hypersomnia (sleeping too much) and insomnia (lack of sleep). Neither are healthy. Sleep affects your emotional and physical well-being; it affects your functionality and productivity. Insomnia is also linked to mental illness, especially depression. I have major depressive disorder. Insomnia can be a symptom of a major underlying condition. You should seek advice from a health care professional. My doctor prescribed me Trazodone. It is a cyclic antidepressant that is ancient. It is non-habit forming. It has been a godsend in my life. It is also affordable; a 30 day supply runs around 11 (American) dollars. I have also had success with OTC medicines, such as Tylenol Simply Sleep. Other recommendations for sleep include the following: relaxing ambience at nighttime (e.g. dim lighting, humidifier); establish a consistent sleep cycle 7 days a week; make sleep a priority and avoid the temptation to stay up late; no television within one hour of sleep (too stimulating), warm bath; avoid daytime naps; use bed only for sleep and intimacy (no paperwork); exercise regularly (but not within two hours of bedtime).
Some good foods for inducing sleep (high in tryptophan): milk, bananas, cereal with milk, plain baked potato, tuna, eggs, and "Horlick's Hot Malted Milk."
Bad Foods: caffeine (coffee, black tea, chocolate, many sodas), refined sweets, excessive salt, alcohol, tobacco, MSG, chemical additives that increase heart rate, tyramine-containing (sauerkraut, wine, pork, eggplant, spinach, tomatoes), and overeating.