(HealthDayNews) -- If you spend hours before falling sleep counting sheep, it might be time to work on your sleeping habits.
The Mayo Clinic offers these suggestions:
- Avoid caffeine, nicotine and heavy meals in the evening.
- Exercise 20 to 30 minutes a day, but not in the late evening.
- Keep your bedroom quiet and comfortably cool.
- Use the bed for sleep and sex only.
- If your days are stressed, use the hours before bed to unwind and relax. A bath, a glass of warm milk or some light reading may help.
- Hide the clock and don't try to think about how many hours of sleep you're losing.
- Check that any medications you're taking don't contain caffeine.