By Douglas Trattner

A couple tries out a new bed at a bed store.

Sleep is the new sex. We yearn for it, fantasize about it and require it in ample amounts to keep us sane. But sadly, as is too often the case with the latter, we are getting far too little of the former.

"Reports estimate that 50 percent of the population is operating under a sleep deficit," says Elizabeth Scott, a life coach and counselor in Los Angeles. As About.com's stress management expert, Scott receives nearly a quarter-million visits per month from drowsy readers hungry for a good night's sleep. Rather than direct her flock to the nearest pharmacy, Scott favors a gentler solution. "I believe in a holistic, all-natural approach to sleep," Scott explains. "I think that medication has its place, but I think it's best to first get in tune with the processes taking place in your body."

Guided by images

Imagination can be a sleep aid. Scott suggests using guided imagery, which she describes as a "vivid daydream. It's almost a form of self-hypnosis where you get yourself into a relaxed state of consciousness." To do this, imagine you're wandering through a pleasant natural environment, like a seashore or a forest glade. "You can get guided imagery tapes that walk you through it, or you can just use your imagination," Scott says. Either way, the exercise moves your brain toward a state similar to sleep.

Make meditation your nightcap

Stress is the leading cause of short-term sleeping difficulties, according to the National Sleep Foundation (NSF), a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit organization that studies sleep and sleep disorders. To counter that, Scott recommends a little quiet time. "Meditation is one of the best stress management practices," she says. "And by reducing our stress levels, we can help induce sleep." For those who find meditation elusive—and you're not alone—Scott recommends any pre-sleep activity that accomplishes the same goal, like journaling, painting or practicing yoga.

+Next: 140 Great Ways to Do Nothing