Top tips for a good night's sleep

Credit: ITV / Tonight

Sleep hygiene is a term used by medical experts and sleep professionals, to talk about the best ways to make your body sleepy. That advice includes:

  • Having fixed times for going to bed and waking up

  • Creating a relaxing bedtime routine

  • Only going to bed when you feel tired

  • Avoiding clock watching when you can’t sleep.

  • Maintaining a comfortable sleeping environment that's not too hot, cold, noisy or bright

  • Not napping during the day

  • Doing 30 minutes exercise every day

  • Not using backlit devices shortly before going to bed

  • Avoiding caffeine, nicotine and alcohol late at night

  • Avoiding eating a heavy meal late at night

  • Making sure that your mattress and pillows are comfortable

  • Avoiding regularly taking over the counter sleeping tablets

  • Don't lie in bed feeling anxious. Instead, get up, do something else for twenty minutes, then try again.

Anyone concerned about their sleep should get advice from their GP.

For more information about current research into sleep, visit Sleepio.