What is sleep hygiene?
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Dr. Michael Roizen answered:We talk about personal hygiene for our teeth or job interviews, but most people don't talk about sleep hygiene—that is, creating the perfect sleep environment. Much in the way you'd put candles on the table for a romantic dinner or Luther Vandross on the stereo for a romantic night, you also need to set the mood for sleeping. The perfect environment for sleep:- A cool, dark room: The temperature and darkness are signals to the pineal gland to kick up melatonin production and knock you out.
- No laptops, no TV: Ideally, the bed is used for two things and two things only. If you have any other type of stimulus, like work or a TV, you're not sending your body the right message that it's time for sleep. Need more incentive to kick Leno to the living room? People who don't have a TV in the bedroom have 50 percent more sex than those who do.
- Add white noise. Use a fan for background noise, or one of those machines that lets you pick sounds, from the rain forest to the ocean. This drowns out the couple fighting next door and the drag races outside so your subconscious stays pristine as you count sheep.
- Dress appropriately. The best clothing should be nonrestricting and nonallergenic (both the fabric and how it's washed). Your body is better at keeping itself hot than keeping itself cool, so you'll make it easier on yourself the fewer and looser clothes you wear.
- Establish a standard wake-up time, including on weekends. This helps reset your circadian rhythm and trains you to stay on schedule if your rhythm happens to wander, as during traveling.
- Get the best mattress. I believe there are four things in life you should overpay for. The first three: pillows, mattresses, and their coverings. The fourth thing? A good kitchen knife (not to be used in the bed).
Find out more about this book: You: Staying Young: The Owner's Manual for Extending Your Warranty
We talk about personal hygiene for our teeth or job interviews, but most people don't talk about sleep hygiene—that is, creating the perfect sleep environment. Much in the way you'd put candles on the table for a romantic dinner or Luther... More -
Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Both the occasional restless sleeper and those with chronic sleep problems can benefit from good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene addresses the environmental and behavioral factors that are counterproductive to sleep.Keeping a sleep diary can help you get a handle on your sleep pattern that can uncover unhealthy patterns and practices.
Both the occasional restless sleeper and those with chronic sleep problems can benefit from good sleep hygiene. Sleep hygiene addresses the environmental and behavioral factors that are counterproductive to sleep. Keeping a sleep diary can help you... More -
Dr. Michael Breus answered:Sleep Hygiene is a term used to describe good overall sleep habits. Good sleep hygiene involves creating an environment that will offer you the best opportunity for a good night’s sleep, and work with your body’s natural desire and need for sleep. Bad habits and influences that can contribute to poor quality sleep hygeine can fall into two main categories:
External influences—including the sleep environment (light, noise, temperature, food, bed and pillow) sleep scheduling, alcohol, nicotine and caffeine.
Internal influences—including emotional unrest, depression, anxiety, and marital discord.
You want to try and avoid these issues while creating a healthy sleeping environment.Sleep Hygiene is a term used to describe good overall sleep habits. Good sleep hygiene involves creating an environment that will offer you the best opportunity for a good night’s sleep, and work with your body’s natural desire and need... More -
SecondsCount.org answered:A routine that helps get your body ready for sleep is sometimes called proper sleep hygiene. In general, avoiding stimulants and engaging in relaxing behaviors before bedtime promotes better sleep. Proper sleep hygiene is important beyond just helping you feel refreshed the next day: poor sleep has been linked to cardiovascular events, such as heart attack and stroke, in addition to other serious health problems.
The following can help you establish better sleep hygiene:
- Get to bed and wake up at consistent times, even on the weekend.
- Treat your bedroom as a sanctuary only used for sleep and sexual activity (if applicable).
- Make sure the temperature of the bedroom is comfortable enough to promote sleep.
- Darken the room with blackout curtains to help promote longer sleep in the brightness of the early morning.
- Turn off electronics (phone, computer, television) and quit other stimulating activities several hours before bedtime.
- Exercise daily in the early part of the day.
- Avoid caffeine in the afternoon and evening.
- Limit alcohol intake.
- Avoid smoking and the stimulant effects of nicotine.
- If you are having trouble sleeping, get up out of bed and try a relaxing activity.
- Try strategies for coping with stress such as a warm bath or meditation.
A routine that helps get your body ready for sleep is sometimes called proper sleep hygiene. In general, avoiding stimulants and engaging in relaxing behaviors before bedtime promotes better sleep. Proper sleep hygiene is important beyond just... More -
Dr. Craig Schwimmer answered:Sleep Hygiene simply refers to a collection of habits and behaviors that tend to improve one's sleep quality and quantity. Examples include keeping regular bed and wake times, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, and avoiding the use of computer and TV screens before going to sleep.Sleep Hygiene simply refers to a collection of habits and behaviors that tend to improve one's sleep quality and quantity. Examples include keeping regular bed and wake times, avoiding caffeine in the afternoon, and avoiding the use of computer and... More -
RealAge answered:Sleep hygiene refers to a list of recommended behaviors and environmental conditions that can improve the quality of your sleep. Research indicates that 70% to 80% of people with sleep disorders achieve some benefits when practicing good sleep hygiene.
Sleep hygiene refers to a list of recommended behaviors and environmental conditions that can improve the quality of your sleep. Research indicates that 70% to 80% of people with sleep disorders achieve some benefits when practicing good... More -
Dr. Shelby Terstriep of Sanford Health answered:Everyone loses sleep every once in a while. But when lack of sleep or interrupted sleep becomes the norm, it’s time to do something about it. Insomnia affects 30 to 50 percent of all people. Many patients, whether they know it or not, suffer from disordered sleeping caused by a multitude of factors, including:
- Too much caffeine intake
- Frequent bathroom breaks
- Hot flashes
- Too many distractions, such as the TV, computer and other devices
- Medications, including alcohol
- Undiagnosed sleep apnea
- Stress
Simply, easy techniques and habits will help patients overcome mild to moderate sleep disorders – without medication. These include:
- Turning off the TV, cell phone and computer off one hour before going to bed
- Making a list of the next day’s to dos before going to bed
- Keeping a daily routine, such as getting up at the same time every day and going to bed at the same time every night
- Avoiding looking at the clock
If you can’t fall asleep go into another room. The idea is that you don’t equate your bedroom with bad sleep.
Everyone loses sleep every once in a while. But when lack of sleep or interrupted sleep becomes the norm, it’s time to do something about it. Insomnia affects 30 to 50 percent of all people. Many patients, whether they know it or not, suffer... More
