Sleep-Better Strategies from GH Readers - Good Housekeeping
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According to the National Sleep More than half of all Americans  and more women than men  have trouble sleeping at least a few times a week, according to the National Sleep Foundation. Without a night of sound slumber, you may not focus as well, and you may have a harder time dealing with life's small bumps.
Too little sleep on a regular basis (officially known as insomnia) can also lead to medical problems  an increased risk of depression, obesity, heart disease and diabetes  not to mention accidents because your reaction times are off. What can you do if you have trouble sleeping? Just for our GoodHousekeeping.com visitors, here are a few great tips for sound sleeping from GH readers: "I imagine that I'm redecorating my house, room by room. It's the least stressful thing I can think of to keep my mind off any real problems. I rarely get more than two rooms done before I'm asleep."Arlene LaPorta, Williamstown, NJ "I wear sponge earplugs, which make a faint whoosh sound. I concentrate on the sound of nothingness. Also, if it's cold, I visualize a heater inside me, warming me until I fall asleep."Jolynn Wells, Tacoma, WA "I have a hard time quieting the thoughts in my head, so I need background noise. My husband and I drift off to sleep watching TV, then a timer switches the set to a soft music channel."Janice White, Paragon, IN "First I have a cup of milk (cold or hot), then I turn on an electric fan for white noise. The combo works like a charm."Jennifer Savino, Joliet, IL