ShareThisBy HELEN MALANI
ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ
A few months ago, my work and travel schedule began to wreak havoc on my sleeping patterns. Lying restless in bed, I begged my body to shutdown but my desperate pleas got me nowhere. Each time I looked at the clock, another hour had passed by. Was there something wrong with me? Well, yes and no.
A lack of sleep isn't healthy but I take solace in learning I'm one of an estimated 70 million Americans who suffer from sleep disorders, according to The National Center on Sleep Disorders Research. We are a nation of very tired people. This, I realize, is the secret to Starbucks' success.
Stress, jet-lag, and working the late shift are all common non-medical causes of sleep deprivation. Before rushing off to the doctor for a sleep aid prescription or hitting that pricey half-bottle of chardonnay in the hotel mini-bar _ alcohol can actually hinder restful sleeping _ it's worth trying to control your environment to promote sleep. And besides, I was unable to write off the chardonnay on my business expense account!
Don't underestimate the importance of a good mattress and pillow in allowing your body muscles to relax. Everyone I know who has invested in a Tempur-Pedic mattress swears by it. Why not first try a Tempur-Pedic pillow. The material precisely conforms to your shape providing support while evenly distributing pressure but it doesn't come cheap, $85.99 to $149.99 through www.bedbathandbeyond.com
Since I like to travel light, bringing a pillow along wouldn't work. Many people turn to sound machines for help, as I did, only to be disappointed. After purchasing one, and trying countless others in stores, I have yet to find one I can recommend.
Ultimately the sounds all repeat and sound artificial to my ear. Maybe my brain refuses to relax because it knows there is really no ocean outside my bedroom window.
What I did find that works was a CD I purchased in a Phoenix museum shop where I was visiting my sister. I was in a southwest mood when I picked up my first Native America music CD. With no disrespect to the artists, the sounds lulled me asleep. One I like is Meditations: Native American Flute $9.99 from www.lifescapesmusic.com where you can also sample the music. Another benefit is many business hotels have CD players in their rooms.
A CD created specifically to promote Delta sleep, a brain wave usually associated with deep sleep, is The Delta Sleep System. At first it sounds like a soundtrack to a science fiction movie, but it grows on you and for most people ultimately leads to sleep. Available through www.CDcollection.com for $10.59.
If traffic, neighbors or noises are to blame for your sleepless nights try the White Noise Sleep Mate 980 by Marpac ($49.95 through www.amazon.com and www.thecompletesleeper.com ) This sound conditioner creates a soft noise, similar to a fan, which helps mask other sounds.
Helen Malani is the chief shopping expert for Shopzilla.com, an E.W. Scripps Co., and the largest comparison shopping search engine on the Web. For more columns visit www.scrippsnews.com.
