Of all the things that make my life difficult, insomnia can top the chart. I can’t count the number of nights when I haven’t been able to fall asleep. After all these years, it’s clear that stress is at the root of my insomnia. I know this without a doubt. I’ve found that conquering insomnia to be an all-consuming task. This quest for a good night’s sleep has lead in many (low- and high-tech) directions …

I’ve tried lots of “cures” for insomnia and still haven’t found the golden bullet.

I used a white noise generator for a while. The Sharper Image white noise unit produced a wide range of nice sounds like crashing waves and babbling brooks. I liked this little unit, but one day when the batteries wore out I just forgot to replace them.

If you’re a insomnia-plagued Gnomie with a spare computer in the bedroom, you might want to check into white noise generating software. Unfortunately, my PC is (and was) not in the bedroom–and makes far too much noise to be used as a white noise generator.

Now after I tried the white noise path, I dove into the over-the-counter stuff with varying results.

Over time, I found that over-the-counter sleep aids like Melatonin and other medications just weren’t for me. While Melatonin may have worked, I would wake up groggy, feeling like my eyes were glued shut. I’m not discounting the placebo effect. I just know that it wasn’t for me.

And in case you might be wondering, drinking myself to sleep never seemed to work, either. I’d merely pass out and wake up a couple of hours later. With a headache, no less.

I found myself coming back to a really simple white noise solution.

These days, when I’m good and ready to pass out for the evening I use the television to provide a form of white noise. But it’s not the pure drone of white noise, per se … it’s music. I tune into DirecTV’s “Soundscapes” digital music channel and turn the volume down way low.

Much to my wife’s chagrin, it works. She’s not crazy about the new agey drone. But then again, I’m not crazy about her snoring, either. :) Maybe I should put a box of Breathe Right Nasal Strips in her stocking this Christmas. hmmm … that might be a little cruel. ;)

I’ve also used iTunes to find spacey Internet radio channels to provide an aural backdrop. This can provide an alternative if you happen to have a PC in the bedroom and don’t want to go the traditional white noise route.

Of course, diet and exercise are highly important in the quest for a good night’s sleep. But on those days when both are lacking, I reach for the remote control …