What is sleep hygiene and how do I practice it?

Sleep hygiene is a term that refers to habits around sleep timing, place, and process. It can be hard to practice good sleep hygiene, especially in college, where you may be sleeping in a shared room or surrounded by distractions. But there are still some good habits worth adding into your routine to get the most of your downtime.

Declutter your room

‍Get rid of laundry, to-do lists, or other messes, or at least move them so you can’t see them from your bed. You want your sleeping area to calm you, not remind you of things you have to do or stress you out. 

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Reduce caffeine

‍Instead of reaching for coffee when you start to crash in the afternoon, try getting an energy boost from something else like going for a walk, cleaning your room or listening to music. If you are going to drink caffeine, try to stop drinking it 6 hours before you plan to go to sleep.

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Have a relaxing bedtime routine

‍Give your brain a transition period to wind down before bed by doing things that are calming, familiar and relaxing. That might include chatting with a roommate, listening to a podcast, or watching a comforting show.

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