4 Soothing Meditations for Better Sleep

Sometimes falling asleep can be the most challenging part of the day. But it doesn't have to be. From the relaxing voice of Jeff Bridges (yes, that Jeff Bridges) to hypnotherapist sessions that help you find your zen, these meditation guides can help you start snoozing as soon as your head hits the pillow.

1. Mindfulness Meditation of the Body and Breath
Perfect for meditation newcomers, this 8-minute sound clip counsels you on everything from better posture to how to keep your mind from wandering with a focus on calm breathing. Not only is this meditation great for bedtime, you can also use it in the morning to help you stay in control all day.

2. Dreaming With Jeff
This 15-track album begins with a narration of the concept of "sleeping tapes." The soft voices throughout the album are designed to help you nod off quickly, with a variety of one-to-three minute songs that subtly change pace from time to time. As a bonus, if you buy the album, your money will help fight childhood hunger — all proceeds go to No Kid Hungry.

3. UCLA Body Scan for Sleep Audio
This recording includes 14 minutes of helpful tips on how best to unwind. Get distracted easily? The audio begins with a warning on what to do if you have trouble focusing on relaxing right off the bat. Good news: There are seven more meditations to choose from.

4. Relax Now
This app, which is free on iTunes, features calming music and sounds, such as that of a crackling fire, as well as sessions recorded by certified hypnotherapist David Ridgeway D. Hypn., M.N.C.H. Consumer testers loved that the app had specific segments to help them go to sleep, and even some that woke them up.