What is sleep hygiene? It is having good sleep habits, following conditions that promote sleep. Things that would not be good sleep hygiene would be habits like drinking alcohol or coffee in the evening. These are the things that make it difficult for you to get to sleep.

This remedy should actually be your first line of attack. Handling insomnia in this way has proven to be effective in changing sleep patterns. By reviewing and making some changes in your routine, you can improve your sleep.

These are some effective sleep hygiene habits:

1. Put yourself on a schedule with a regular time for going to bed and getting up and stick to it even on weekends.
2. Don’t spend excessive time in bed; use the bed for sleep and sexual relations only.
3. Avoid naps.
4. Exercise before dinner. You’ll find sleep then comes more easily. Don’t exercise close to bedtime.
5. About an hour and a half or two hours before your bedtime, take a hot bath. 
6. Keep the bedroom relatively cool and well ventilated.
7. Eat light meals before bedtime. 
8. Avoid fluids just before bedtime.
9. Avoid caffeine or other stimulants 4-6 hours before sleep. 
10. Don’t drink alcohol before going to bed.

If you can't sleep -- don't stay in bed. Get out of bed, do some quiet light activity in dim light then return to your bed when you feel tired. Sleep hygiene is an effective technique you can benefit from in your fight against insomnia.