Poor-quality sleep can do more than make you grumpy before your morning coffee.

While sleep hygiene habits may vary from person to person, the basic concepts apply to everyone.

Try different habits to see what works best for your unique situation and lifestyle.

A person awakens in bed in the morning

Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images

Kseniya Ovchinnikova / Getty Images

1.

Daylight hours vary depending on the season and where you are in the world.

Your daily schedule may also make it harder to follow a day-night sleep schedule.

Even so, there are some basic rules you’ve got the option to follow.

These include:

Maintaining a consistent sleep schedule has benefits, including better health and longer life.

Some ways to relax before bedtime include:

3.

Sleep Quality

Sleep quality is a measure of how well you are sleeping.

Another way to address stressful thoughts is with the right affirmations.

It is a problem that will be addressed and sorted out tomorrow."

Avoid spicy foods, foods high in fat, acidic foods, caffeine, and alcohol.

Other sources call this rule the 15-minute rule.

The concept is the same.

If you have not fallen asleep after 15 minutes, get up and find a relaxing activity to do.

Caffeine can disrupt your sleep-wake cycle when consumed too close to bedtime or in large amounts throughout the day.

Limit Naps

Napping during the daycan make it harder to fall asleep.

It may also affect your ability to stay asleep.

If you oughta nap,limit naps to 20 minutes or lessand avoid napping later in the afternoon.

Why Is Sleep Hygiene Important?

Not getting enough sleep can affect all areas of a person’s life.

You don’t have to make multiple changes at once.

Summary

Sleep hygiene is about creating healthy sleep habits.

These include behaviors during the day and at bedtime that enhance sleep quality.

They can request tests to determine if sleep issues result from a sleep disorder and provide treatment if needed.

Sleep Foundation.Mastering sleep hygiene: your path to quality sleep.

2024;55(3).

doi:10.1161/str.0000000000000453

Medic G, Wille M, Hemels ME.Short- and long-term health consequences of sleep disruption.Nat Sci Sleep.

2017;9:151-161. doi:10.2147/NSS.S134864

Sleep Foundation.How to fix your sleep schedule.

National Institute of General Medical Sciences.Circadian rhythms.

2024;47(1):zsad253.

2018;13(11):e0206531.

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0206531

Harvard Health.Blue light has a dark side.

Harvard Health.Mindfulness meditation helps fight insomnia, improves sleep.

Halperin D.Environmental noise and sleep disturbances: a threat to health?Sleep Sci.

2014;7(4):209-212. doi:10.1016/j.slsci.2014.11.003

Sleep Foundation.Essential oils to help you get more sleep.

UCLA Health.Are electronic devices impacting your sleep?

American Academy of Ophthalmology.Should you use night mode to reduce blue light?

Sleep Foundation.Is it bad to eat before bed?

2015;38(6):843-844. doi:10.5665/sleep.4716

Sleep Foundation.Relaxation exercises to help fall asleep.

2023;74(2):e12843.

doi:10.1111/jpi.12843

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Effects of light on circadian rhythms.

2017;31:70-78. doi:10.1016/j.smrv.2016.01.006

Columbia University Irving Medical Center.Count downnot sheepto a good night’s sleep.

Harvard Health.Is your daily nap doing more harm than good?

2023;15(8):e43595.

doi:10.7759/cureus.43595

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.1 in 3 adults don’t get enough sleep.