Take Action!
Small changes to your daily routine can help you get the sleep you need.
Change what you do during the day.
- Exercise earlier in the day, not right before you go to bed.
- Stay away from drinks and foods with caffeine (such as coffee, tea, soda, or chocolate) late in the day.
- If you have trouble sleeping at night, limit daytime naps to less than 1 hour.
- If you drink alcohol, drink only in moderation. This means no more than 1 drink a day for women or 2 drinks a day for men. Alcohol can keep you from sleeping soundly.
- Don’t eat a big meal close to bedtime.
- Quit smoking. (The nicotine in cigarettes disturbs sleep.)
Take Action!
Set a bedtime routine.
- Go to bed at the same time every night.
- Get the same amount of sleep each night.
- Make sure your bedroom is dark and quiet.
- Avoid eating, talking on the phone, or watching TV in bed.
- Try not to lie in bed worrying about things. Check out these tips to help manage stress.
If you are still awake after staying in bed for more than 20 minutes, get up. Do something relaxing until you feel sleepy.
Check out more tips for getting a good night’s sleep.
Take Action!
If you are concerned about your sleep, see a doctor.
Talk with a doctor or nurse if you have any of the following signs of a sleep disorder:
- Frequent, loud snoring
- Pauses in breathing during sleep
- Trouble waking up in the morning
- Pain or itchy feelings in your arms or legs that may happen more often at night
- Trouble staying awake during the day
Even if you aren’t aware of problems like these, talk with a doctor if you feel like you often have trouble sleeping.
Keep a sleep diary for a week and share it with your doctor. A doctor can suggest different sleep routines or medicines to treat sleep disorders. Talk with a doctor before trying over-the-counter sleep medicine.