It’s long established that sleep plays a crucial role in health and well-being. Numerous studies have documented the relationship between health and the quantity and quality of people’s sleep. Anyone who has had a poor night of rest can attest to how they had less energy and were grumpier the next day.
Some 18% of American adults take a form of medication to help them sleep, including over-the-counter pills and prescription medications, according to a 2023 US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report. Some 6.3% said that they take sleep medications every day and 2.1% took medication most days.
What are other nonpharmaceutical measures that can help with sleep?
This is a key question and goes back to the issue of why someone is having sleep problems. Many people struggle because they don’t have enough time in bed, which is a first important component to good sleep. If the ideal sleep duration is at least seven hours a night, then try to allocate for at least eight hours in bed.
Screens interfere with sleep, so try to avoid looking at your cell phone or watching TV right before bed.／Pexels
It’s best to aim to go to bed at around the same time every day, including on weekends. Avoid naps if possible. Sleep environment also matters. It’s best to slumber in a cool, quiet and dark place. Screens interfere with sleep, so try to avoid looking at your cell phone or watching TV right before bed.
Finally, there are other nonpharmaceutical measures, such as increased physical activity, yoga and acupuncture, that can help some people. Make sure to speak with your provider to diagnose any other issues and then try out different methods, in consultation with your provider, to see what works best for you.
