Sleep Hygiene

What are good sleep habits?

Good sleep habits are often referred to as good sleep hygeine to improve sleep

Things to do in the evening to promote sleep:

  • Try to go to bed at the same time each night

  • The body has an internal clock and hormones that control sleepiness and wakefulness

  • This clock works best if there is a regular sleep routine

  • When working well, sleepy feeling will arise at bed time

  • Try not to ignore this by staying up as this is a window of opportunity for sleep

  • Going to bed too early can also disturb sleep

  • In the hour before going to bed, it is important to have a relaxing sleep routine. Although this will vary from person to person, some things that you may find relaxing include:

    • Having a warm bath 1-2 hrs before bed as it will raise body temperature

    • Reading quietly

    • Warm milk drink which contains tryptophan, which acts as a natural

      sleep induce

  • Going to the the toilet is important to avoid having to get up in the night

  • It is also recommended to turn off all screens (e.g., computers, smartphones) 1-2 hours prior to bed, and if possible, not have them in the bedroom

Things to avoid doing in the evening:

  • Avoid caffeine close to bedtime

    • There are different views on how many hours before bed you should have your last caffeine intake

    • Some say caffeine should be avoided for at least 3 to 7 hours before going to sleep

    • Others say no caffeine after lunch time if you have sleep problems

    • Many people find that their sleep improves with less caffeine or only having caffeine earlier in the day

  • Smoking also makes it difficult to go to sleep so there should be no cigarettes before going to bed or during the night

  • Alcohol might help you get to sleep, but it will make it harder to stay asleep

  • Avoid activities that are stimulating in the hour before bed. This includes moderate exercise, computer games, television, movies, having important discussions, using social media and responding to emails and text messages

  • Being in a brightly lit environment or the blue light of the computer can reduce evening levels of the sleep-promoting hormone, melatonin

  • Don’t fall asleep on the couch during the evening as it reduces your sleep pressure and makes it harder to fall asleep when you go to bed

Meals and sleep:

  • It is important to not be hungry at bedtime. But having a full stomach makes it difficult to sleep

  • The evening meal should be at least 2 hours before bedtime

  • Some people find that having a small snack at bedtime helps them to sleep better

Things to do when in bed:

  • The bed must be comfortable

  • Avoid being too hot or too cold

  • The mattress, pillow and blankets should be comfortable and restful

  • There should be no distractions in the bedroom

  • This may mean removing the television, radio and hand-held devices such as phones and laptop computers

  • If there is a clock in the bedroom, it should be covered to avoid clock-watching

  • If possible, don’t allow children and pets to be a disturbance

Things to do during the day:

  • One very important thing is to stay out of bed

    • Some people use the bedroom as a living room, where they study, watch television, make phone calls and read books. This will make it harder to sleep

    • It is important to train the brain to link the bed with sleep

    • The bedroom should be used for sleeping and intimacy only

  • As a rule, exercise is good for sleep, but not just before going to bed. Try not to do strenuous exercise in the 4 hours before bedtime

  • The best times are in the morning and before the evening meal, however any exercise is better than none

  • Being out in the natural daylight during the day will improve sleep at night

    • This will help with your body clock and the melatonin levels in the body

    • It is best to be outside in the early part of the day

Things to do if can't get to sleep:

  • Sleep is not something that you can force to happen

  • If you are not asleep within 20 to 30 minutes of going to bed you should get up

    • Go to another darkened room and sit quietly

    • Do not have screen time (e.g., television, smartphone, computer) eat, drink or do household chores

    • When you feel tired and sleepy again go back to bed

    • This helps your mind link bed with sleep – not with being frustrated and not sleeping

    • Rest is good – it does not have to be sleep. Don’t label yourself as an insomniac as this will increase your worry and frustration.

Things to do if you can’t shut off your mind:

  • Some people lie awake in bed at night and cannot switch of their thoughts

    • If this is a problem, set aside a ‘worry time’ during the evening. Use this time to think about what has been happening during the day, make plans and possible solutions. Then don’t think about these things until the next day

    • Keep the hour before bed as your wind down time – develop a routine that prepares your body and mind for sleep. Listen to quiet music or do relaxation

    • Remember that we can never shut off our mind. Our thoughts continue all the time, so try to make them calmer thoughts

    • Create a favourite fantasy place. Or daydream of your favourite holiday spot. If other thoughts come in, consider them for a moment and then try to gently replace them with calm thoughts

    • If you still can‘t sleep despite your best attempts at relaxing and trying to calm your thoughts, go out of the bedroom and wait until you’re sleepy and tired and then try again

Are naps good or bad?

  • It depends

  • The average adult sleeps for between 7 and 8 hours a day

  • If you are taking naps without any problems, and they are short naps (around 30 minutes) then this will not be detrimental to your night time sleep

  • On the other hand, naps in the evening, or dozing in front of the TV, can make it harder to get to sleep at night

What about prescription medicines and sleep?

  • Some of these will make it easier to get to sleep. But others will keep you awake

  • It is best to take them only when your doctor or pharmacist says so

  • Sleeping pills are designed for short term or intermittent use only, and always under the supervision of your medical doctor. But they are only a short term fix.

How much sleep is needed?

  • Most adults need between 7 and 8 hours sleep each day. Be realistic about your needs

  • Younger people have different sleep needs

  • If you are a poor sleeper it is very important you do not spend too long in bed

    • Spend no more than 8 or so hours in your bed.

    • If you spend more time in bed, you will be telling your body that it’s OK to drift in and out of sleep all night

    • Going to bed later at night may be the single best thing to help reduce your wake time during the night in bed

How important is a routine?

  • Try to stick to a good sleep routine

  • Improved sleep will not happen as soon as changes are made. But if good sleep habits are maintained, sleep will certainly get better

  • It is not possible to do the same thing every day, but it should be most days

  • Different things work for different people. Find what works for you and stick with it

  • If you try everything and your sleep still doesn't get any better, then see your GP (see Insomnia)

What might the doctor do?

The first thing that the doctor will do is have a talk about your sleep. Depending on what they think is the cause, they might suggest the things listed above or they might refer you to a sleep specialist