We’re all guilty of doing it…scraping by on an occasional 4-hour-a-night sleep routine. Despite the fact that we know it’s not enough, life feels so BUSY that it can feel impossible to give your body the rest it deserves.

If you’re struggling to get the recommended 7-9 hours of sleep your body craves, consider the following tips:

– Keep a consistent wake-up time. By doing so, you’re setting your sleep/wake cycle.

– Exercise! You’ll be more likely to fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.

– Resist the temptation to eat big meals within 1-2 hours of bedtime; for some people these late meals are a contributing factor to their insomnia.

– Create some wind-down time before bed. Use this time to do things that will relax you: Shut off your electronics, read a good book, take a warm bath, etc.

Once you’re getting more sleep, you can rest assured that you’re improving your physical and mental health. Individuals with adequate sleep are less prone to being overweight, are more likely to have better memory skills, and generally have a stable mood.