We all know we should be getting eight hours of shut eye a night. But the reality for most working moms is far different. Whether mulling over—at 3 a.m.—a fight with a co-worker or trying to figure out if our kid has enough funds in his hot lunch money account, working mothers are simply not getting the zzz's they need.

The New York Times recently ran a story called "Sleep Medication: Mother’s New Little Helper." It addressed the staggering statistic that nearly three in ten American women admit to using a sleeping aid to ensure extra hours of rest. Pulling its research from the National Sleep Foundation’s Women and Sleep study from 2007, the article profiled several moms who claim that work and parenting pressures have their minds racing at all hours—and all through the night.

Working Mother previously published a related feature story called “Everybody Knows Somebody” that examines working moms who use prescription medication and/or alcohol to self-soothe, relax and sleep. Our story looks at this growing trend and the way it can spiral into addiction—and devastation—by chronicling the downward spin and eventual recovery of several adicted moms. Working Mother recently received a min Editorial and Design Awards Honorable Mention for the article, which struck a chord with moms and the media alike. Ww continue to follow this disturbing trend and offer strategies to help working moms relax in healthier ways.