Sleep hygiene Archive

Do you wake up tired, struggle to fall asleep, or rely on caffeine to get through the day? Your daily habits may be playing a bigger role in your sleep quality than you realize. This quick quiz will help you evaluate your sleep hygiene from your bedtime routine and screen use to exercise, stress, and sleep environment.

Links between restless legs and iron, caffeine, and alcohol are emerging. See which dietary tweaks might be worth trying.

People who maintain or improve their heart-related risks over time are less likely to develop calcification of the aortic valve, which may lead to aortic stenosis.

Interrupted sleep may be caused by age; lifestyle habits, such as drinking alcohol too close to bedtime; medication side effects; or an underlying condition.

Chronic pain typically fluctuates during the day and some research suggests that it worsens at night, potentially interfering with sleep. If pain keeps you awake at night, trying these strategies may help you sleep better.

A 2026 study found that sleeping 7.3 hours on weeknights may be associated with better blood sugar regulation by improving insulin sensitivity—how efficiently cells respond to insulin and absorb sugar from the bloodstream.

Revenge bedtime procrastination involves sacrificing sleep to prioritize personal time for activities unrelated to the demands of work or caregiving. Short-term effects of insufficient quality sleep time include next-day fatigue and negative mood. Persistent sleep deprivation can increase risks of conditions such as cardiovascular disease and dementia.

People with insomnia can quiet a racing mind or relax a tense body with progressive muscle relaxation, which involves gradually tensing and relaxing muscles, beginning with the toes and working up the body.

Compared to people who have moderate sleep-and-wake patterns, night owls may be more likely to have unhealthy habits that put their heart health at risk, according to a 2026 study.