Keep regular sleep hours.

Waking up and going to bed at the same time every day-even on weekends-can help regulate your sleep cycle. Treat yourself to a nice breakfast as an incentive.


Avoid the snooze button.

Hitting snooze may be making you tired. It's better in the long run to get as much uninterrupted sleep as you can. So train yourself to get up on the first ring.


Start a sleep journal.

If sleepless nights are becoming a regular thing, keeping track of your daily activities and habits may help you figure out what's affecting your sleep.


Keep your bedroom tidy.

Clutter can cause stress. And stress can cause sleeplessness. So before you leave for the day, make your bed and clean up. You'll return to a relaxing sleep environment.


Get outdoors during the day.

Sunlight has a big influence on your body clock. So getting outside in the morning can help keep your sleep patterns on track. It can even help you sleep longer.


Do errands at lunch.

The more you can get done during the day, the less you'll have to do at night. So you can concentrate on winding down and getting the recommended 7–8 hours.


Exercise regularly.

A workout during the day can help you fall asleep faster and sleep more deeply. Try not to work out too late in the day, so your body has enough time to wind down before bedtime. Talk to your doctor before beginning or modifying your exercise routine.


Take a power nap.

A 15- to 30-minute nap can leave you refreshed without keeping you up later, but avoid naps later than mid-afternoon.


Switch to decaf in the afternoon.

It takes hours for the effects of caffeine to wear off, so try to have your last cup of regular coffee or tea at least 6 to 8 hours before bedtime.


Make a daily to-do list.

Don't take the stress of the day home with you. Before you leave work for the day, make a to-do list for tomorrow to help keep job worries from keeping you up later.