Tips for a Good Night’s Sleep

At SSM Health, we understand how important a good night’s sleep is to your overall health and wellness. If you have trouble falling asleep, staying asleep through the night, or don’t feel rested in the morning, try to incorporate the following habits into your sleep routine to feel better and improve your quality of life.

Ways to Improve Sleep

Set a Rhythm

Try to go to bed at the same time every evening. Set your alarm for approximately the same time every morning, even on weekends and holidays. This will help regulate your internal clock.

Get Physical

Take a walk, ride a bike, or get involved in some other type of moderate exercise for 30 minutes every day. This will help you relax and release muscle tension.

Cut Caffeine

A cup of coffee in the morning won't keep you up at night. But, avoid the caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate, or soda within six hours of bedtime.

Avoid Nicotine

Yet another reason to not smoke: nicotine is a stimulant and can make it difficult to fall asleep.

Check Medication Side Effects

Prescription and nonprescription medications can often cause sleeplessness. Check with your doctor or pharmacist about possible side effects for any medications you take.

Reduce Stress

It is impossible to eliminate all the stress from your life, but reducing stress with relaxation techniques, visualization, exercise, and other techniques can make a world of difference in the quality of your sleep.

Next Steps if You Still Struggle with Sleep

Healthy habits can improve the quality of your sleep, helping you feel better, improving your quality of life, and reducing your risk of sleep-related health problems. If you still struggle with sleep after trying these changes, make an appointment with an SSM Health Sleep Center. Our team will perform a thorough evaluation to determine the cause of your sleep problems and help you create a plan to get the rest you need.