Feeling more irritated lately? Or simply worn out? Perhaps the solution is getting a better night’s sleep. If we think about all the factors that can interfere with sleep — from pressure at work and family responsibilities to relationship issues or illnesses – it is no wonder that the quality of our sleep is reduced.

Getting a good night’s sleep is incredibly important for health. In fact, it is just as important as eating healthy and exercising. If our body doesn’t get a chance to rest properly by cycling through the two phases of sleep (REM and non-REM), we often find ourselves feeling tired or moody, struggling to stay focused at work, remembering things or making decisions and of course craving high carb or fatty foods, which can lead to weight gain.

If you fail to get the recommended 7-8 hours sleep each night on a consistent basis, it’s not difficult to see the stress it would place on our nervous system, body and overall health. Chronic sleep loss can lead to impaired immunity, muscle atrophy, high blood pressure, heart disease, diabetes, obesity and depression.

SO we can see how important it is to get enough sleep and although we might not be able to control all of the factors that affect our sleep, we can create habits and a routine that promotes better sleep. Start with these simple tips:

1. Stick to a sleep schedule

Try to go to bed and get up at the same time every day, or at least during the week. Being consistent reinforces your body’s sleep-wake cycle and helps promote better sleep at night.

2. Establish a bedtime routine

Do the same things each night that help your body to wind down and prepare for sleep. This might include taking a warm bath or shower, reading a book, or listening to relaxing music. Relaxing activities can promote better sleep by easing the transition between wakefulness and drowsiness. Avoid stressful, stimulating activities such as doing work or discussing emotional issues and be wary of using electronic devices as part of your bedtime ritual. Some research suggests that using these devices before bedtime affects sleep by increasing alertness.

3. Avoid caffeine and alcohol

Caffeine is a stimulant that can keep you awake. Try to avoid caffeine (which can be found in coffee, tea, chocolate, cola, and pre-workout/fat burning supplements) for four to six hours before bedtime. Smokers should refrain from using tobacco products too close to bedtime and nicotine has a similar stimulant effect. Although alcohol may initially cause drowsiness, after a few hours it acts as a stimulant, increasing the number of awakenings and generally decreasing the quality of sleep later in the night. It is best to avoid drinking alcohol within three hours of bedtime.

4. Pay attention to what you eat before bed

Going to bed hungry or over-full can cause discomfort that might keep you up. Try to avoid a large meal before bedtime and allow your food to digest for around 2 hours before going to bed. It is best to limit the amount of fluids you drink before bed too bed, to prevent disruptive middle-of-the-night trips to the toilet.

5. Control your sleeping environment

Prepare your room so that it is perfect for sleeping. A cool, dark and quiet is the best environment to promote a good night’s sleep. Consider using block-out shades, earplugs, a fan/air-conditioning or other devices to create an environment that suits your needs. Ensure that you have good quality bedding to maximise comfort too!

6. Get moving during the day

It is a well know fact that regular physical activity can promote better sleep, helping you to fall asleep faster and achieve a deeper sleep. Be aware that if you exercise too close to bedtime (at a moderate-high intensity), it can have a stimulant effect and affect your ability to fall asleep.

7. Manage stress

When you have too much to do, and a lot on your mind – your sleep is likely to be affected. This is because the body releases the stress hormone cortisol which increases alertness. To help promote relaxation, try to implement strategies to manage stress. This may be as simple as getting organised, setting priorities and delegating tasks. Before bed, write down your to-do list for tomorrow and what’s on your mind and then set it aside for tomorrow.

8. Go to bed when you are actually tired

Struggling to fall sleep can lead to frustration and over-thinking. Generally, if you’re not asleep after 15-20 minutes, get out of bed and do something relaxing, like reading until you feel you are tired enough to sleep.

Try incorporating these simple things into your daily routine and notice the difference it makes.