Finding the right kind of CD to listen to at bedtime can take time. Some people prefer purely instrumental music, some prefer music with soothing lyrics, and other people prefer things like nature sounds and waves on the beach. Whichever you favor, there is a CD out there for you. Try a different one each night for a week, and narrow it down from there. Before you go shopping, remember that most public libraries check out CDs, and there are cheap ways to download them on the Internet.
Making your own sleep CD is easier than it sounds. If you don't already have blank CDs, you need to acquire them. You also need to have music on your computer. Make a play list, and burn it onto the disc. Go through your music and pick out songs that make you feel relaxed and at ease. Your first inclination may be to go to your "sad" songs, the ones you listen to when you need a good cry. Don't go there. Stay away from songs that jog your memory too much.
You can find some choice examples of sleep CDs in places you may never have thought to look. Check out meditation CDs, yoga relaxations CDs and, if you like the sound of someone talking, Deepak Chopra has a calm voice with a lot of insight that can put you in a good frame of mind before you're off to dreamland. Also, don't rule out sound machines. These can be more expensive than CDs, but if you can't find a CD, it may be a good option.
When looking into CDs to help you sleep, remember there are many different ways of listening to music for free online, such as through a Pandora account. This type of website allows you to choose music stations and cater them to your personal tastes. Stations such as Meditation Radio, Sleep Station, and Solo Piano Radio are all available.