Sleepless in Seattle—or anywhere else?

The reason you’re having trouble sleeping may be that your bedroom is not a healthy sleeping environment. In fact, The Journal of the American Medical Association indicates that behavioral changes may treat insomnia better than drugs. Try making your bedroom a sleep only zone. Some adjustments you can make to sleep better are:
• Adjust your schedule so you get go to bed and get up at the same time every day. Regulating your biological clock is important for sleep cycles.
• Create a “wind down” routine. Don’t work right up until bedtime. Try writing out a list of things that are worrying or stressing you, so you don’t have to think about them until tomorrow.
• Banish the TV or video games to another room.
• If you don’t fall asleep within 20 minutes try getting up and reading until you feel sleepy.
• Don’t drink caffeinated beverages or alcohol close to bedtime.
• Exercise well before bedtime—strenuous exercise right before bed can keep you awake.
• Take a hot bath.
• Meditate before bedtime.
• Don’t stare at the clock—it will just make it worse!
• Don’t eat in bed.
• Don’t discuss emotional issues in bed.
• Minimize the light, noise and temperature changes in your bedroom.
• Avoid naps.
photo credit: peasap