DEAR MAYO CLINIC: I’m not sure whether it’s the time of year or if I’ve developed bad sleep habits, but I’m constantly tired. I feel like I need to go back to basics. What are some tips for better sleep?
ANSWER: First, avoid bright lights as you’re getting closer to bedtime. In the past, when we didn’t have electricity and the sun went down, the darkness would cause melatonin production in the body, which helps us sleep. Then, light would come in the daytime and shut down the melatonin, causing us to wake up. Because we have bright lights everywhere at all hours of the day and night, melatonin is shut down. When we get to bed, we’re not ready to sleep because our melatonin levels haven’t had a chance to bump up.