Sleep hygiene: simple habits that help you sleep better

Struggling to fall asleep or waking up groggy? Small habits matter more than you think. Sleep hygiene means the daily routines and bedroom setup that make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep. Try a few changes tonight and see what sticks—consistency is the real power here.

Start with timing. Go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. Your body’s clock learns patterns fast. If you can’t sleep after 20 minutes, get up, do something quiet and low-light, then try again when you feel sleepy. Lying awake only trains your brain to stay alert in bed.

Quick sleep hygiene checklist

Keep this checklist handy and tick one or two items to try each week: 1) Dim lights 60–90 minutes before bed, 2) Avoid screens 30–60 minutes before sleep, 3) No caffeine after early afternoon, 4) Keep bedroom cool and dark, 5) Limit naps to 20–30 minutes before 3 PM. These moves make real differences fast.

Light is a big deal. Morning sunlight helps wake you up, and low light at night signals your brain to make melatonin. If you work nights or use screens late, use blue-light filters and bright light therapy in the morning when possible. Your phone’s night mode helps, but cutting screen time is better.

Watch what you eat and drink. Heavy meals, alcohol, or spicy food close to bedtime can disrupt sleep. Alcohol might make you fall asleep faster but it fragments sleep later. Stay hydrated, but avoid drinking lots of fluids right before bed to minimize bathroom trips.

When medication or a doctor might help

If your sleep problems started after a new drug, check side effects. Some medications — including certain statins and stimulants — can cause insomnia or restless sleep. Talk to your prescriber before stopping any drug. They may adjust timing, switch medications, or suggest a low-risk sleep aid short-term.

If you’ve tried good sleep habits for several weeks and still feel tired, see a clinician. Conditions like sleep apnea, restless legs, anxiety, or depression need targeted treatment. A sleep study or a review of your medicines can pinpoint the issue so you get the right help.

Finally, be patient and experimental. Keep a simple sleep log: bedtime, wake time, naps, caffeine, and one note on mood. After two weeks you’ll see patterns and know which changes helped. Try one habit at a time and build what works for you.

15May

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