21 Things to Do If You Want to Sleep Better

When you're having trouble sleeping, it can really throw everything off. According to the Cleveland Clinic, sleepiness can interfere with cognitive function, decision-making, performance at work and school, and mood. And, if left untreated, your inability to sleep can contribute to conditions like obesity, diabetes, and heart disease.

To sum it up, sleep is important. But it can seem like an endless cycle when you're spending more nights staring at your bedroom ceiling than drifting off to dreamland. You may feel stressed or frustrated with your sleep problems, which might even make the situation worse because you're worrying so much about it. 

There are a number of reasons why you might be having trouble getting some shut-eye. Stress, depression, poor bedtime habits, sleep apnea, certain medications, and diet are some common factors, according to Harvard Health Publishing. Figuring out the root cause of sleeplessness might involve you going through your daily habits and mental-health state to see what could be the culprit.

"When a client comes to me and is having trouble sleeping, I look at everything going on in their life, including diet, exercise, and stress," says Sarah Rueven, MS, RDN, CDN, founder of Rooted Wellness. "All of these factors play a role in our ability to fall and stay asleep."

It's important to note, though, that there is a difference between insomnia and having trouble sleeping every now and then. According to the Office on Women's Health, insomnia is defined as "an inability to go to sleep, waking up too early, or feeling unrested after sleep for at least three nights a week for at least three months." If you are experiencing chronic insomnia, it might be beneficial to see a sleep doctor or healthcare professional who can advise on certain therapies or treatments. 

While we recommend going to a professional first (especially if you have a serious problem), there are also some lifestyle and diet changes you can make that might help you get better sleep. The experts shared some tips with us below. Just remember that sleep is very individualized, so there's no one-size-fits-all approach when it comes to this.

Lifestyle Changes

Make a Routine

Setting a routine can help give your body cues that it's time to wind down and go to sleep. "Routine is everything. The body loves rhythm and predictability much like a young child needs theirs," explains Pedram Shojai, OMD, author of The Urban Monk and The Art of Stopping Time and founder of Well.org. "Closing your mental 'windows' or 'tabs' is a big part of the path to better sleep. Make the evenings about family, recovery, and some reading. Once the brain starts to sync up with this, it'll cue you to close your eyes and get some shut-eye."

Herbalist, acupuncturist, and founder of Vie Healing Mona Dan, LAc., MTOM, encourages each person to find their own rhythm. "I recommend finishing eating by 7 p.m., taking a hot shower, and then start winding down with a nourishing tea by 9 p.m., avoiding the things that stimulate you too much and allowing your body to rest and relax," she says.

Stick to Your Bedtime and Wake Time

Turn Off Electronics

Just say no to those Instagram-scrolling black holes at 2 a.m. "Incorporating a good sleep-hygiene routine is very important," Rueven says. "I recommend turning off your smartphone, computer and TV at least an hour before bedtime. Blue light coming from these devices can reduce melatonin production and prevent sleep. Instead, wind down with a good book, a bath, or a cup of tea."

Cut Back on Alcohol

That nightcap might not be working in your favor. "Cutting back on your intake of alcohol can help improve sleep quality," Rueven says. "While a glass of wine before bed may reduce the amount of time it takes you to fall asleep, it also reduces the quality of your sleep. Even one serving of alcohol before bed can reduce the amount of time you spend in REM sleep, or the most restorative part of the sleep cycle."

Allow Your Body to Rest

If you are tired throughout the day because of a lack of sleep, Dan recommends allowing your body to rest. Of course, you can't exactly nap during the workday, and you don't want to nap for too long because that will make your sleep problem even worse. But if you are able to rest for a bit, go for it. "When your body is giving you signals of sleep, you need to listen. This will help relax your nervous system and retrain your body to sleep properly again," Dan says.

Diet

Making sure you're getting the right vitamins and nutrients is key across the board, but it might also help your sleep patterns, to some effect. "There are certain foods that contain nutrients or compounds that are known to promote sleep. However, we really aren’t sure if the amount of these nutrients in food is enough to really move the needle when it comes to inducing sleepiness and/or promoting higher-quality sleep," Rueven says. "However, many of these foods are healthy foods that we should all be including in our diets regardless, so there’s no harm in giving them a shot if you are struggling to sleep!"

Eat Complex Carbs

Complex carbohydrates—whole grains, legumes, fruit, and starchy vegetables—are already foods you should be adding to your diet, but they also have some sleep benefits because they stimulate serotonin production in the brain. "Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that impacts mood and sleep cycles and helps us feel sleepy and relaxed," Rueven explains.

Consume Foods With Melatonin or Tryptophan

Avoid Foods That Trigger Heartburn

Heartburn can be a common cause of insomnia. If you're someone who suffers from heartburn or GERD (gastroesophageal reflux disease), Rueven recommends you figure out what foods trigger it and avoid eating those before bedtime. "Lying down after eating can worsen symptoms," she adds. "Foods that often cause heartburn include spicy foods, tomatoes, citrus products, peppermint, chocolate, alcohol, caffeine, and fatty or fried foods. Give yourself at least two to three hours before lying down after a meal if you suffer from heartburn."

Snack on Nuts

Don't Eat Too Close to Your Bedtime

"It's recommended to stop eating about three hours before you go to sleep for the best-quality sleep," Poon says. "Eating too close to bedtime can disrupt sleep and also may lead to conditions such as acid reflux."

Try Magnesium-Rich Foods

Avoid Sugary Foods

"If you eat a large, rich meal, foods with a lot of sugar or simple carbohydrates, or foods that are difficult to digest right before you go to bed, your body will be working to digest the food and not be able to rest and replenish," Poon says.

Herbs and Teas

Look for These Herbs

Be Mindful of Your Caffeine Intake

Some teas can have caffeine, too. So you'll want to watch out for that. "Avoiding caffeine in the afternoon is often necessary for many individuals," Rueven says. "Most people are aware that coffee has caffeine but often aren't aware of all of the foods and beverages containing caffeine. I'm seeing more and more nutrition bars and products packed with caffeine. Caffeine is also found in decaffeinated coffee, teas, soda, and dark chocolate."

Aromatherapy and Essential Oils

Try Epsom Salts

Use Essential Oils

Wellness Practices

Create A "Deceleration" Ritual

Shojai recommends developing a "deceleration" ritual of cutting down screen time and doing some mind-body practices to calm the mind before bed. Think of it as anything that helps quiet or calm your brain.

Practice Yoga

Meditate

Do Some Deep Breathing

Breathing exercises are also so calming. Taking deep breaths can signal to your body and mind that it's time to go to sleep.

Exercise Regularly

Regular workouts can help your sleep routine, but you want to time them correctly. "Working out right before bedtime can raise your core body temperature and release endorphins, which will make you more alert and less likely to be able to fall asleep," Rueven says. "Give yourself two to three hours before bedtime to unwind after your workout."

Next up: How to Function on No Sleep (Because We've All Been There)