5 Tips & 5 Giveaways to Improve Your Sleep

Two words: sleep machine! We love our Marpac TSC 330 Travel Sound Conditioner because we can adjust it for volume, pitch, and tempo. We chose a lovely ocean surf sound, not too loud, but definitely relaxing. If I wake in the night, listening to this will send me back to sleep, especially if I match my breathing to the waves. Other sound machines may rely on recordings of surf or other nature sounds, but they're on a continuous play loop and you find yourself anticipating the birds chirping or a particular sound. This is white noise, just varied by tempo and pitch, so no recording. We take it with us when we travel and it can mask hotel sounds and make you feel relaxed because it is so familiar.

I find that exercising helps a ton with sleep. I also use earplugs because my husband snores:)

I have been using a Mediflow pillow for about 3 months now and it's amazing. You fill a chamber inside with water, which acts like a natural cradle (think water bed for your head and much less sloshy!) for your neck. I have been sleeping as good as I can these days, with 2 10 month-old twin baby boys!

I have difficulty sleeping fron time to time. But when it becomes frequent I know that it is time to replace my pillow. The best sleep I ever get is on a new pillow. You would be surpised how much sleepliness is used fluffing your pillow.

Having a much different schedule from my spouse, I am always waking up throughout the night. anything to help me sleep better is worth a shot!

SLEEP the elusive word usually evades most. I found to get enough and be content try exercising at least a moderate amount you will be more tired and on a sleep schedule when it comes time to hit the hay. Also I found warm baths with lavender or chamomile epsom salt relaxes the muscle and provides a calming environment to usher sleep in.

As I get older I have the worse time getting to sleep. I can be tired all day but come bed time I just can't fall asleep, I've laid there for hours. One thing I sometimes do is I'll come down and walk on the treadmill but at a slow pace so as not to break a sweat. I've walked as long as 30 min, at about 2 MPH. That only works sometimes but when it does I sleep like a log.

a cup of tea and a quick book with the kids is the best way to end the day and get ready for bed ..

I like to read before bed - but some products that can naturally help are 5-HTP, melatonin, and Calms Forte for Kids (For some reason the kids' product works best for me).

To fall asleep, I need the white noise from a fan or my humidifier. My feet also need to be warm so a bath or shower just before bed helps or a heated mattress pad, blanket or a hot water bottle helps too. I always turn my digital clock on the nightstand away from my bed so the light doesn't bother me & so I'm not checking the time constantly. Finally, if I'm really having problems falling asleep, I use a muscle progressive relaxation cd that also has some gentle instrumental music. It works everytime by relaxing my entire body & helping my mind stop running at full throttle & just concentrate on the wordless music. A few more thoughts... I also like to read before I snuggle in & I always have my last cup of coffee by 3 p.m. And if something is bothering me I look at something that makes me happy.

my daughter swears by Sleepytime Tea. She loves the flavor and says it helps her relax and go to sleep

I try to keep a routine for sleeping as well as waking, even on the weekends. Our kids are grown now so the only disruptions are when the grandkids come over. We're always in bed by 11:00 and I'm always up by 5:30. I occasionally use a natural product called Sleep Essence made by Young Living to encourage falling asleep. Taken an hour before bedtime, I find that it works wonders!

I make sure to take care of anything that will sit on my mind all night so once i lay down i don't have to get back up. The i put on my breath right and lay down with my book.

sudoku, sudoku, sudoku. puts me to sleep every time.

Try lavender scented plug-ins, such as Glade or Yankee. I turn them on when I get the kids ready for bed and turn them off in the morning.