Sleep strategies seem as plentiful these days as diet strategies. Why? It's no secret that women are in dire need of some extra sleep. When you're tired and constantly fatigued you run the risk of everything from frayed nerves and bad tempers to lowered immunity and car accidents.

Here, a few women who are no strangers to sleepless nights offer their best catch-up tips:

Susie, 30, medical school resident:
"I find that taking a quick cat nap can be very refreshing. [But] if I let myself sleep for longer than 20 to 30 minutes during the afternoon, I get myself into a bad cycle of then not being able to fall asleep at night. A quick 20 minute nap can even get me through a 30-hour shift in the hospital."

"I do not turn on the TV at night. I used to think I'll just watch TV until I fall asleep but it's always more stimulating than relaxing. I find when I watch TV at night, I'm up until midnight and am screwed the next morning when my alarm goes off at 5 AM!"

Juliane, 31, taxi-cab driver:
"I don't talk on the telephone, watch TV, eat dinner, write letters or bills, work on my laptop or do anything other than sleep in my bed. It's not always easy as the bed is such a comfy place, but if I'm strict about this my sleep is much more sound. I find I don't toss and turn as much. I also make sure I don't fall asleep in the chair in front of the TV. To me, sleep means my bed."

"I try not to ignore my body and what it's telling me. If I'm tired, I go to bed early. If I'm in a pattern of waking up unrefreshed I always think about what I can do to improve my sleep. Sleep is really important to me, as I'm both cranky and sick a lot when I'm overly tired."

Tanya, 36, late-shift telephone operator:
"Since I do shift-work and have kids, I am usually stressed out. I can't always afford a massage, but I try to de-stress by listening to classical music, taking hot baths with nice fragrances, and writing in my journal. I also take a yoga class at the YWCA. Once in a while I treat myself to a massage and, boy, does that work great."