TIPSHEET: SLEEP HYGIENE TO
TRAIN THE BRAIN TO FEEL AWAKE AT REGULAR TIMES
■ Stick to approximately the same times to wake up and to go to bed. Don’t vary this schedule much on weekends.
■ Wake up at a fixed time every day—regardless of how long you slept during the night. This is hard to do but will be really helpful by making you sleep better and better over the next few days.
■ If you haven’t slept well and are tired, the temptation to nap is understandable. BUT—if you nap during the day, your sleep at night will be worse. This cycle will continue. Rest as much as you need to during the day, but do not lie down or nap.
TRAIN THE BRAIN TO FEEL AWAKE AT REGULAR TIMES
Note: This patient handout was originally published in a 2009 article by Rajnish Mago, MD, on Sleep Hygiene.
