Can’t sleep? Sleep isn’t just buried in our subconscious; it’s on our minds and in the news as never before. We all know that not enough sleep deprives the body and soul from nightly nourishment that we all need. We have all experienced the burnout that comes when we don’t get the sleep we need. It affects our daily life: energy, emotions, marriage, jobs, sanity and happiness. Restorative sleep is interwoven with every aspect of our lives.

There are many questions about sleep. The first question we ask of sleep experts, “How much sleep do we really need?”

The systematic study of sleep is relatively new. Serious sleep research started in 1953. We are living in the golden age of sleep science. There are many things we have learned in recent years that insomniacs could do for themselves if they had the information.

That is why these two books have been written: To get the message to the public, so people will learn about the latest professional help available to them, as well as the many things they can do for themselves if they have problems sleeping.

One book is “No More Sleepless Nights,” co-written by doctors Peter Hauri and Shirley Linde.

Hauri is the former director of the Mayo Insomnia Program and the co-director of the Sleep Disorders Center at the Mayo Clinic, and is considered by many as the world’s leading authority on insomnia. A pioneer in sleep research, Hauri founded the American Sleep Disorders Association.

Linde is a bestselling author and co-author of 30 books. She is also the recipient of the Outstanding Service Award from the American Medical Writers Association.

The other book is “The Sleep Revolution” by Arianna Huffington. She is co-founder, president and editor in-chief of the Huffington Post Media Group. She has written several bestselling books. Her most recent, “Thrive,” topped the The New York Times bestseller list. Huffington was guest speaker at Colby College graduation. I was fortunate to be there for my granddaughter’s graduation. These books give readers guidance to a peaceful sleep. They explore all aspects of the great enemies of sleep.

Some folks are fortunate. My late husband could put his head down and go immediately to sleep and stay asleep. It did not matter where he was or if he just had coffee.

There is a great deal of information about insomnia in “The Sleep Revolution.” I found the chapter most interesting about making your diet work for your sleep. There is solid evidence that your sleep may be affected by what you eat. Dr. Nathaniel Kleitman, the University of Chicago sleep pioneer, compared the effect on sleep of different bedtime snacks.

Very briefly, these are guidelines from the findings and advice of the American Heart Association, surgeon general, Department of Agriculture, American Cancer Society and their own clinical findings. There is hope.

Rule 1. Eat lots of salads and fresh vegetables.

Rule 2. Eats lots of whole grain and fiber.

Rule 3. Eats a variety of foods.

Rule 4. Limit fat.

Rule 5. Limit use of alcohol and coffee.

— Zaffie Hadiaris of Saco is the host of “Zaffie,” a weekly television talk show on Channel 3 Biddeford public access. It can also be seen at biddefordmaine.org. Contact Hadiaris at zhadiaris@hotmail.com.