Standing in line to register for college classes a long time ago. There was a cute girl in front of me and a young mom in front of her holding hands with her very young and very cute little daughter. The cute girl in front of me is overwhelmed and muttering to herself “So cute … so cute”. I ask her “Do you want one?” She thinks a little and then ignores me. True story.
The trick is to bore yourself to sleep. Describe, in words but silently, what you see with your eyes closed. It’s like watching clouds. It doesn’t take long before your mind has enough and chucks it.
Should be a cell phone, not a sheaf of paper.