There is nothing I find more important to prepare me for a hard day than a good night’s rest. Getting good sleep is incredibly vital to our health yet is surprisingly challenging for many people. Being a student, maintaining a good sleep schedule and getting a restful, quality sleep is what facilitates my academic success. Here are some of my best sleep hygiene habits to hopefully improve your sleep so you can wake up refreshed and ready for anything.

1. Schedule. By far the first thing to check off your list when trying to optimize your sleep is to maintain a regular sleep time, both during the week and on the weekends. This not only includes what time you start winding down for bedtime, but also what time you wake up. Now, I am not totally unreasonable, and having to wake up at 7 a.m. for school doesn’t mean I try to also wake up at the crack of dawn on the weekends. Thankfully, and sometimes unwelcomely, I should say, my body clock wakes me up automatically because of my regular sleep schedule. Sleeping during a regular time frame has always been shown to help people fall asleep faster and experience better quality rest.

2. Light Regulation and Screens. After dinner and before bed, I try to start dimming the ambient light of my apartment. This may include the use of lamps and small lights versus opting to use larger overhead lights. The general decrease in light combined with my (mostly unsuccessful) attempts to limit screen time helps me to feel relaxed and simply more tired. Dimming the lights at night isn’t the only important management of light that can help improve your sleep; getting some early morning sun can be a great way to stabilize your circadian rhythm.

3. Sleep Accessories. For those really challenged sleepers, it may take special efforts to sleep well. First, the use of a fan, white noise device, or even earplugs can make a great difference, especially for those who live in a noisy area like an apartment complex. Next, if you haven’t tried a weighted blanket, I highly recommend purchasing one. I personally choose to use a 20 lb. blanket, but they make both lighter and heavier options, and preference will vary by individual. They even make covers so that it is easy to wash and keep clean. Last, a good eye mask can help make a bright room pitch black, without the hassle of installing blackout shades.

 Hopefully these tips and habits can help make sure you wake up every day feeling rejuvenated and revitalized! 

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