Get some sleep

Natural Health, Feb, 2007 by Ann Lien

YOU DON'T NEED to live under a flight path (like I do) to have trouble sleeping. Car alarms, noisy neighbors, and stressful days can all leave you wide awake until the wee hours. At bedtime, "the most important thing is to unwind," says Joe Rauer, a sleep concierge at The Benjamin hotel in New York City, who suggests you relax with a long bath or meditation instead of turning on the TV. In addition, these drug-free sleep aids can help you get a good night's rest.

1. No elevator music, this: Sleep Garden's zMusic CD ($25; www.sleepgarden.com) features one hour of soothing synthesizer arrangements designed to help quiet your mind and get you into a more meditative state.

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2. Shaped like a standard pillow, the Tempur-Pedic ComfortPillow ($125-$150; www.tempurpedic.com) is fluffier than many memory-foam pillows but still supportive. You'll sleep more soundly simply because your head and neck are so well cradled.

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3. Bed, Bath & Beyond Bamboo Twill sheets ($80 for queen set; www.bedbathand beyond.com) are made of 100 percent bamboo fibers. Cozy and soft like sateen, the eco-friendly sheets are also naturally breathable.

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4. Worn as a watch, the Sleeptracker ($149; www.sleep tracker.com) monitors your movements and, in the morning, rings the alarm only when you're near the end of a sleep cycle. Because you're not being dragged out of a deep dream state, you will awake feeling less foggy and more refreshed.

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5. Start your morning with a simulated sunrise instead of a jarring alarm by using the Verilux Rise & Shine Deluxe Natural Alarm Clock Bedside Lamp ($150; www .veriluxstore.com). You can further customize your wakeup call by adding nature sounds or music from your favorite radio station.

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6. Drown out low-pitched noises like the rumble of your neighbor's television with the Marpac SleepMate 980 ($57; www.marpac.com). This white-noise machine creates the sound of the wind rushing past your ears, which also helps blunt shrill ambulance sirens and other high-pitched annoyances.

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NOT PICTURED: Block out streetlights and bright morning sun and muffle sound with Four Seasons Blackout Panels ($70-$100; www.vermont countrystore.com). These curtains help convince your body it's nighttime until the moment you wake up.