Nothing is more frustrating than not being able to sleep. Tossing and turning. Your mind is racing, going over everything that happened today. Night noises keep you awake. What can you do? There ARE things you can do! Read on and learn some new tricks to sleep well. These tips are also known as "Sleep Hygiene."

Sleep only when sleepy

This reduces the time you are awake in bed.

If you can't fall asleep within 20 minutes, get up and do something boring until you feel sleepy

Sit quietly in the dark or read the warranty on your refrigerator. Don't expose yourself to bright light while you are up. The light gives cues to your brain that it is time to wake up.

Don't take naps

This will ensure you are tired at bedtime. If you just can't make it through the day without a nap, sleep less than one hour, before 3 pm.

Get up and go to bed the same time every day

Even on weekends! When your sleep cycle has a regular rhythm, you will feel better.

Refrain from exercise at least 4 hours before bedtime

Regular exercise is recommended to help you sleep well, but the timing of the workout is important. Exercising in the morning or early afternoon will not interfere with sleep.

Develop sleep rituals

It is important to give your body cues that it is time to slow down and sleep. Listen to relaxing music, read something soothing for 15 minutes, have a cup of caffeine free tea, do relaxation exercises.

Only use your bed for sleeping

Refrain from using your bed to watch TV, pay bills, do work or reading. So when you go to bed your body knows it is time to sleep. Sex is the only exception.

Stay away from caffeine, nicotine and alcohol at least 4-6 hours before bed. Caffeine and nicotine are stimulants that interfere with your ability to fall asleep. Coffee, tea, cola, cocoa, chocolate and some prescription and non-prescription drugs contain caffeine. Cigarettes and some drugs contain nicotine. Alcohol may seem to help you sleep in the beginning as it slows brain activity, but you will end end up having fragmented sleep.

Have a light snack before bed

If your stomach is too empty, that can interfere with sleep. However, if you eat a heavy meal before bedtime, that can interfere as well. Dairy products and turkey contain tryptophan, which acts as a natural sleep inducer. Tryptophan is probably why a warm glass of milk is sometimes recommended.

Take a hot bath 90 minutes before bedtime

A hot bath will raise your body temperature, but it is the drop in body temperature that may leave you feeling sleepy. Read about the study done on body temperature below.

Trouble Sleeping? Chill Out! - A press release from the journal Sleep about the significance in body temperature before sleep

Make sure your bed and bedroom are quiet and comfortable

A hot room can be uncomfortable. A cooler room along with enough blankets to stay warm is recommended. If light in the early morning bothers you, get a blackout shade or wear a slumber mask. If noise bothers you, wear earplugs or get a "white noise" machine.

Use sunlight to set your biological clock

As soon as you get up in the morning, go outside and turn your face to the sun for 15 minutes.

失眠是最让人烦心的事——一晚上辗转反侧，脑子转个不停，把白天发生的事想个几万遍。夜间的噪音也吵得人睡不着觉，此时我们能做什么来逃离这种痛苦？事实上我们能做很多事！读读这些促进良好睡眠的新招。这些招数也被称为“睡眠卫生”。

1.困了才睡觉

这能减少在床上醒着的时间。

2.如果在20分钟内还没睡着，起来做点无聊的事让自己犯困

静坐在黑暗中或者读一读家里冰箱的说明书。不要接近亮光，因为这会让大脑以为是时候起床了。

3.不要午睡

这能确保你在该睡觉的时候足够困。如果做不到不午睡的话，那就在下午三点之前尽量睡少于1小时。

4.固定睡眠时间

这一条适用于周末！当你的睡眠周期固定下来之后你会觉得好多了。

5.睡觉前4小时内不要做运动

常规运动的确能使你睡的更香，不过重要的是在什么时候运动。早晨或者午后做运动都不会干扰睡眠。

6.发展一种睡觉仪式

这有助于暗示你的身体是时候睡觉了。听听轻音乐，拿15分钟读一些暖人心的文章，喝一杯不含咖啡因的茶，做一些放松训练等等。

7.只在睡觉时才上床

不要在床上看电视，付账单，工作或者阅读。这样一来你只要一上床你的身体就知道是时候睡觉了。呃。。。。做爱不在此列。

8.睡觉前4到6小时远离咖啡因，尼古丁，和酒精

咖啡因和尼古丁都是干扰睡眠的兴奋剂。咖啡，浓茶，可乐，可可饮料，巧克力和含咖啡因的处方药或者非处方药。香烟和一些药物都含有尼古丁。酒精一开始看起来好像能帮助你进入睡眠——因为它能降低大脑活性，但是随后你再也不能正常的睡眠了。（正常的睡眠是分阶段的，但是酒精导致的睡眠却不是这样。喝醉过的人都知道，喝完酒是不做梦的。）

9.睡觉前吃点小吃

肚子空空会影响睡眠。但是吃得太饱也会影响睡眠。奶制品和火鸡含有色氨酸，这种酸是一种天然导睡剂。正是因为有这种酸的存在，人们才会觉得在睡前喝一杯温奶会有助于睡眠。

10.睡觉前1个半小时洗一个热水澡

热水澡会使你的体温升高，但是在它下降的时候你会觉得很困。

11.确保你的床和卧室足够安静舒服

一间热屋子让人觉得不舒服。一间凉爽点的屋子会好得多——当然你得有足够多的毛毯来保暖。如果早晨的太阳光干扰到你的话，推荐你去拿东西挡住它，或者可以戴一个眼带蒙住眼睛。如果有噪音干扰，带个耳塞或者买个“白噪音”机器。

12.把阳光当作你的生物钟

早晨起床后，到户外面朝朝阳15分钟。

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