Speaking from experience, not getting the sleep you need really takes a toll on your body and mind. I occasionally suffer from bouts of insomnia every year. It used to be chronic, back when I was a teenager. I would go weeks at a time, sleeping only 2 to 3 hours a night. These days, it is rare but that is not just by coincidence. After doing much research, I found many suggestions from doctors, natural healers, and Feng Shui experts. I changed some things in my bedroom, and wow, did it make a difference!

It seems fairly simple, but making your bedroom as comfortable as possible is the most important step you can take to sleeping better. Obviously, the most comfortable thing in your bedroom should be your bed. If you have had the same mattress for like 10 years...it is probably time to get a new one.

An old mattress will creep up on you slowly. First, you will have minor back aches when you wake up. Then, those back aches will get worse a little bit every day you sleep on your worn out mattress. You might also get headaches and charlie-horses. Next, you will awake in the middle of the night or just plain not be able to fall asleep due to the discomfort. That is what happened to me, anyway. I didn't realize it was so bad until I woke up one morning, went to get out of bed and my back pain stopped me. I told my husband, "Hun, it's time."

We ended up getting a great deal on a new bed at our local Big Lots. We got a temperpedic foam mattress for 400 bucks! A Queen size too! I love that bed.

After the mattress itself is replaced (if necessary), you now have to consider your bedding. Many people don't realize much of their sleeping discomfort stems from bedding that is too heavy, too light, too itchy, or too dense. Your body relaxes better when air is circulated through your covers. No one likes waking up in the middle of the night covered in sweat. Then again, you want to be comfy and cozy during those cold winter months, right? The ultimate bedding combines breathability and warmth, while looking good at the same time.

I used to have a silk comforter. I thought it would breathe enough to keep me comfortable. Boy, was I wrong. I found a chenille comforter one day shopping with my husband. I loved how soft it was, but honestly...it was really, really ugly. He said he didn't care, but I sure did. Knowing how much I liked the chenille, I started looking online for more, ahem, attractive comforters.

Well, I found these tapestry bedspreads and I just love the Savonerrie I bedspread. It looks amazing in my bedroom, and it is seriously the most comfortable comforter I've ever owned. The chenille cotton is really soft, without being fuzzy and annoying. The design is beautiful and matches everything. The best part of tapestry comforters is the weight of the fabric. It is just heavy enough to keep me cozy, even in this horribly cold weather we have right now. But, it was light enough to use in the summer without sweating. I just can't say enough about it.

Other than your bed and comforter, there are several things you can do to help you sleep better.

• Get rid of the TV!
• Keep decorations in your bedroom simple and spare
• Use a soothing color palette and get rid of white walls
• Invest in some heavy light-blocking draperies - it DOES make a difference
• Regulate the room's temperature - not too hot, not too cold

I guarantee if you make these changes, that you will sleep SO much better. Some other tips to sleeping well, or regulating your sleep pattern are:

• Try to go to sleep at a reasonable hour (even if you aren't tired)
• Keep your bedroom for bedroom activities only (No TV, reading, etc)
• Do not eat anything for two hours prior to going to bed
• If you smoke, try not to smoke within an hour of going to bed
• Get regular exercise - you'd be surprised how much it helps
• Drink plenty of water through out the day to keep your body hydrated
• Create white noise with a fan or music with the volume turned way down

I find that doing a few minutes of deep breathing yogic exercises does the trick for me. You just count your breathes and imagine your whole body relaxing, one muscle at a time. I'm getting sleepy just typing this.

Your body needs sleep. It needs a break to repair itself from the damage incurred during the day, no matter how minor. It helps to clear your body of toxins, and helps somehow to sort out your mind. There have been innumerable studies emphasizing the many benefits of a good night's sleep. I can tell you first-hand that not sleeping really messes with your brain. During my bouts of insomnia in my youth, my mind just raced. My thoughts were like the roadrunner, zipping around and bouncing around inside my head. It is a strange and disconcerting feeling to not feel in control of your thoughts for days or weeks at a time. You simply can't function. I know that I'd be crazy if I hadn't remedied my insomnia. It comes back once in awhile, but thankfully, it doesn't stick around for long.