The national Centers for Disease Control reports that not getting enough sleep puts people at a higher risk for a variety of health problems, including obesity, heart attacks, coronary heart disease, stroke, asthma, arthritis, depression, diabetes, and cancer. What’s more, Harvard Medical School states that sleep deprivation affects mental health.

There are more than 70 different types of sleep disorders, the most common one being insomnia, that cause difficulty falling or staying asleep. To beat them, here are some tips for getting restful, uninterrupted, consistent sleep.

• Create the perfect sleep space. It should be dark, cool and comfortable, and not have distractions. That may include room-darkening shades, removing the television from the room, or getting a larger bed.
• Stick to a routine. That will get the body in the habit of getting good sleep. Pick an ideal bed time and create a relaxing, nightly pre-bed routine, whether it’s doing some stretches, reading for half an hour, or something else that gets your body ready to rest and relax.
• Check your electronics. The Journal of Clinical Sleep Medicine reports that using technology in the bedroom an hour before bed is associated with a large number of sleep problems. Keep the technology out of the bedroom and stop using it an hour before going to bed.
• Get daily exercise. According to a study in the journal Advances in Preventative Medicine, there is mounting evidence that getting physical exercise each day will improve sleep habits. The CDC recommends at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity exercise, or 75 minutes per week of vigorous-intensity exercise.

Try Chinese herbal medicine. This traditional medicine has been used for thousands of years. DAO Labs says the formulas it makes aren’t habit-forming and help people sleep throughout the night and not be mentally foggy the next day.

Sweet dreams!

Source: DAO Labs, a maker of traditional Chinese herbal medicine formulas.