Tips to Improve Your Sleep When Times Are Tough

Research shows that the hours we spend sleeping are incredibly important and far from passive. During sleep, your body is busy fighting off viruses and other pathogens, operating a waste removal system to clean the brain, looking for cancer cells and getting rid of them, repairing injured tissues, and forming vital memories that are essential for learning. Getting enough sleep can improve mental health, mood, and ability to think and make good decisions. It is important for the functioning of our heart and other organs.

Most adults need 7 or more hours of good quality (uninterrupted) sleep each day. Some may need even more.

Adequate high-quality sleep is especially important during stressful times. To help you adapt to quickly evolving demands and changes in your personal and work life during the COVID-19 outbreak, the following evidence-based suggestions can help improve your sleep.

• Set aside enough time for sleep.
• Consistent sleep times improve sleep.
• Bright light during the daytime helps.
• Exercise improves sleep.
• Where you sleep matters.
• Use your sleep space for only two things-sleep and intimacy.
• Prepare for a good night’s sleep about 1.5 hours before bedtime.
• Check your intake.
• Try relaxation techniques.