Do you find it difficult to fall asleep? Do you find yourself waking multiple times throughout the night? Sleep is important for your health, and it is important to have good sleep habits, also known as “sleep hygiene.”
Having good sleep hygiene will help you get the recommended 7-8 hours of sleep each night. Some tips for a good night’s rest include having a nighttime routine. Try to go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time, including on weekends. Avoid eating large meals or consuming caffeine or alcohol before bed. Getting enough exercise throughout the day can also help you fall asleep at night. Make sure to put away electronic devices about 30 minutes before bedtime.
If these tricks still don’t work, you can consider using melatonin for sleep. Before using melatonin, try to establish good sleep hygiene first. If this doesn’t work and you are interested in using melatonin, start with a dose of 1-3 mg taken about 1 hour before bedtime. If melatonin isn’t working after a few weeks, talk to your doctor about other options to help with sleep.
