Do you dread the sound of your alarm clock? Is it hard to stay awake for a full day of Zoom meetings (well, harder than normal)? Do you find yourself tossing and turning all night, just to wake up tired and groggy?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, it sounds like you’re having trouble sleeping. There’s nothing worse than being miserable due to something as simple as a lack of sleep. But even though it sounds like a simple problem, it can be difficult to find a solution.

Rest assured (ha ha, get it?), these tips will help you sleep like a baby. Keep reading!

#1: Stop Scrolling

First thing’s first: Put. The. Phone. Down. Okay, not just yet, because you should finish reading the rest of the tips, but after that, you should totally put your phone down.

Unfortunately, your beloved smartphone might be interfering with your sleep. Most people tend to spend an hour (or four) browsing social media before they hit the hay (guilty as charged) but this seemingly harmless habit can actually make it harder to fall asleep.

Not only are you more likely to stay up later (those TikTok videos are just too funny), but it’s also too much stimulation for your brain right before you need to shut it off. To stop mindlessly scrolling, try these tricks:

• Move your phone charger away from your bed
• Break out an old-fashioned book
• Use an Internet blocking app
• Put your phone on airplane mode and turn off Wi-Fi

#2: Give Yourself the Tools You Need

The only thing you need for a good night’s sleep is a mattress, blankets, and pillows, right?

Wrong. 

The reality is, there are actually several other handy gadgets you can use to help you catch those much-needed Zzzs. If you find yourself waking up in the middle of the night, try using the following:

• An eye mask
• A white noise machine
• Night guards
• Earplugs

These tools will help block out noise, reduce discomfort, and help you sleep through the night. A quick word to the wise: you might want to turn up the volume on your alarm clock.

#3: Take a Look at What You’re Eating (and Drinking)

Just because you’re not drinking espresso at 10:00 p.m. doesn’t mean other foods and beverages aren’t contributing to your sleeping issues. Coffee isn’t the only thing that contains caffeine. Chocolate, tea, and some herbal supplements (like yerba mate) can all keep you wired.

Unfortunately, caffeine isn’t the only thing you need to worry about. Alcohol can also disrupt your sleep patterns. Even if a glass of wine or two makes you feel drowsy, you’ll often find it makes staying asleep more difficult (truth hurts, baby). Eating late at night can be another culprit, so try cutting out your midnight snack.

#4: Insomnia Can Be a Sign of Stress

Stress can manifest in a variety of ways. When you have too much on your mind, you might start to notice everything from hair loss to high blood pressure to weight gain. Insomnia is no different, so if you can’t sleep, it’s important to take a look at what’s going on in your day-to-day.

It’s not always possible to eliminate stressors from your daily life, but it is possible to reduce the amount of anxiety and nervousness you feel about those stressors. Try activities like yoga, meditation, or seeking professional help from a counselor or therapist.

Rest Keeps You at Your Best

If you’re used to getting too little sleep, you might not even realize what a heavy toll it’s taking on your mind and body. If you follow the tips above, you’ll realize just how important sleep really is when you start doing better at work, are feeling less irritable, and aren’t dreading the sound of your alarm clock (at least not quite as much).

Sleep tight!