- Sleep as much as needed to feel refreshed and alert during the following day, but not more. Many poor sleepers stay in bed too long or get up too late in the morning after a poor night.
- Train yourself that bed is for sleeping and intimacy only. It is not the place to watch TV, do work, or listen to music.
- If you are unable to sleep within 20 minutes, do not stay in bed and toss and turn. Get out of bed and go to another room. Involve yourself in activity that is not exciting or stimulating and when you are drowsy, return to bed. Repeat this cycle as needed.
- A regular wake-up time in the morning is essential for resetting your biological clock and improving insomnia. Set an alarm, if needed, and get up at the same time every morning, regardless of how much you slept during the night.
- Make sure your bedroom is quiet, comfortable, and safe.
- Put your bedroom clock in a place where you cannot see the time lying in bed.
- Try to keep yourself physically fit. Regularly exercised bodies seem to sleep better. Exercise before 7pm since later exercise can cause difficulty in falling asleep.
- Napping can be refreshing if it does not interfere with the following night’s sleep. If you have difficulty sleeping during the following night, then do not nap, no matter how much you are tempted.
- A light snack 30 to 60 minutes before bedtime may help. Caffeine in coffee, tea, chocolate or other beverages and foods disturbs sleep. Avoid caffeine as much as possible, especially in the late afternoon or evening.
- Nicotine is a central nervous stimulant and chronic tobacco use may disturb sleep.
- Avoid using alcohol in the evening. While alcohol may make it easier for you to get to sleep, it disturbs sleep later in the night.
- All sleeping medications become ineffective if used on a regular basis. Since some medications may need to be reduced slowly consult your physician for the proper way to reduce your sleeping medication.
- Relaxation techniques may be of some value in improving insomnia.
Founder and Medical Director of ARIZONA GYNECOLOGY CONSULTANTS
Dr. Kelly Roy is a specialist in surgical gynecology and advanced laparoscopy (and hysteroscopy). She is a long-time resident of Arizona and obtained her Bachelor of Science degree in Biomedical Engineering at Arizona State University before finishing her Doctorate of Medicine at the University of Arizona in 1997.
Dr. Roy completed her residency in Obstetrics and Gynecology at the then “Banner Good Samaritan Hospital” (now Banner University Medical Center), in Phoenix Arizona in 2001.
Well known for her teaching and surgical ability, she is on the faculty at the residency program at both Banner University Medical Center and Saint Joseph’s Hospital in central Phoenix and is a Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Arizona College of Medicine, Phoenix Campus. Dr. Roy has taught advanced surgical techniques to medical students, residents, fellows and colleagues for over 15 years.
Dr. Roy is also a consultant to the medical device industry and has participated in the design and clinical testing of many instruments and surgical devices available on the world-wide market today.
Read More About Dr. Kelly Roy, MD | WebMD Profile | Health.USNews.com Profile | Current Obstetrics and Gynecology Reports: TFA with the Sonata System
