Healthy Sleep Solutions

Are you constantly yawning, irritable, unfocused or physically exhausted? You're not probably getting as much sleep as your body needs.
Then, it's time to tweak your habits.

Here are some tried-and-true tips which is numbered from easiest to more challenging.

• Keep your bedroom cooler.
• Watch TV, work and read somewhere other than your bed.
• Don't eat a big meal just before bedtime.

If your sleep still needs more improvement, you can add the following steps one at a time:

• Expose yourself at least 30 minutes of sunlight daily, whether you're outside or near the window.
• Don't take caffeine after 4 pm.
• Limit one glass of alcohol in the evening. (It can help you sleep faster, but it disrupts your sleep later on.)
• Exercise during the day - not before bed, because your body temperature will be too high to induce sleep.
• Avoid disturbing TV shows or books before bed, including the news.

If you still aren't getting improvements, move on to the hard stuff;

• Go to sleep and wake up at the same time daily.
• Get out of bed when you can't sleep.