42% of Americans find winter to be the best sleeping season. Learn more about your sleeping preferences.

Top Better Sleep Tips

Secrets to Stealing Extra Sleep

Are you groggy and foggy in the mornings? Like most Americans you’re probably not getting enough sleep. The good news is there are solutions to helping you sneak in more sleep.

There’s an epidemic and you’re part of it. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that Americans are in the middle of a sleep loss epidemic. Nearly eight in 10 Americans say they would feel better and more prepared for the day if they had just one more hour of sleep. Getting that bit of extra sleep may seem impossible to you as you stumble out of bed every morning, but in fact there are secrets to getting more sleep that can add time to your 40 winks.

Make your dreams come true

You can make 8 hours of quality sleep a regular part of your life by scheduling it. Make sleep part of your to-do list and plan your bedtime like you would any other appointment. You wouldn’t miss a meeting to binge watch TV, would you? Be strict about your sleep appointment in the same way. Keep a consistent schedule for sleep and wake times and soon they will become just a part of your regular routine. Support your schedule by creating a bedtime routine that relaxes you with hot baths, good books or soothing music.

Mattress matters

Your bed plays one of the biggest roles in determining how long and how well you sleep. Your mattress and pillow have to be up to snuff for you to slumber well. Your bed and your body naturally change over time (they’re both aging!), so if your mattress is seven years or older, it’s probably time to replace it. Older mattresses do not provide the support you need for restful sleep and need to be replaced. Making this one improvement can unlock nights of blissful sleep. Your pillows should also be replaced regularly once a year to make sure you are getting proper support for your neck and spine.

Rise and shine

It’s tempting to hit the snooze button over and over to squeak out just a little more sleep, but this hurts you more than it helps you. Break this bad habit and set your alarm for the time you actually need to get up. If you can’t let go of the snooze button habit, limit yourself to just one snooze hit per morning.

It’s time to go to rehab. Your snooze button addiction is netting you less sleep, not more. It breaks up your restful sleep and means you’re not really getting any benefits from those extra minutes.

Don’t bite off more than you can chew

What you’re eating and drinking and when you’re enjoying it affects your sleep. Try to finish eating 2 to 3 hours before bedtime so your whole system is ready to relax. Drink alcohol in the early evening instead of right before bed so your body has time to digest it before you hit the sack. Make caffeine a morning-only drink and stick to other beverages in the afternoon and evening. Caffeine stays in your system longer than you might think and can disrupt your sleep.

Train for good sleep

Exercise is important to help your body feel ready for sleep, and even just taking a walk can get your blood moving and improve your sleep. It’s best to complete your workouts at least 2 hours before you go to bed so your body is ready to rest.

Naps are nice

Taking a nap might seem counter-intuitive to good nighttime sleep, but short naps of 10 to 30 minutes actually help you gain extra energy during the day and don’t disrupt your sleep. Even a 10-minute nap can improve your alertness for 2-and-a-half hours if you’re sleep-deprived, and you can feel the benefit for up to 4 hours if you are well-rested.

Create comfort

If your bedroom is not a comforting and relaxing place, you’re not going to want to spend a lot of time there. Make adjustments to your bedroom so that it is dark, quiet, cool and cozy. A key factor in the comfort level of your bedroom is the bed itself, so make sure your mattress is big enough so you can move freely, new enough so it doesn’t cause aches and pains, and comfortable enough to support a good night’s sleep.

Couples who share a double or full mattress each end up with only as much sleeping space as a baby’s crib. Couples should sleep on a queen or king mattress.

A recipe for great sleep

Learn about beverages and snacks that can make sleep come easier.

Banish worry

If you’re bringing the stress of your job and daily life to bed with you, you’re not going to sleep well. Resolve to keep everything that’s stressful out of your bedroom, so don’t bring in work materials, your phone or even allow yourself to think about work while in your bedroom. You can also gain control over your worries and anxieties by keeping a worry journal. Write about the things that are bothering you so you can work through them instead of bringing them to bed with you.

Pull the plug

Keeping a television, smartphone, tablet, laptop or computer in your bedroom makes it harder for you to sleep soundly. The lighting from electronics actually stimulates your brain while you’re trying to sleep and wakes you up. Keep your electronics in another room and use a simple alarm clock instead of your phone.

All About the Bed

You’ll spend 26+ years in your lifetime on your mattress.

Here’s how to make it a little bit more comfy.

LEARN ABOUT MATTRESSES

Shop with Confidence

Decide what you like and dislike

Before buying a mattress

TAKE THE BETTER BED QUIZZZ

Starfish or Freefall

Your sleep position says a lot about your personality – and why you may have trouble sleeping.

SEE YOUR SLEEP POSITIONS