Health Fact: Trouble Sleeping?

It’s Counter-Intuitive but Restricting Your Sleep May Help You Sleep

If you think you may be sleep-deprived, try getting less sleep. This advice may sound odd but determining how much sleep you actually need can reduce the time you spend in bed not sleeping. This process makes it easier to fall asleep and promotes more restful sleep in the long run. Here’s how to do it:

• Avoid napping during the day.
• The first night, go to bed later than normal and get just four hours of sleep.
• If you feel that you slept well during that four-hour period, add another 15–30 minutes of sleep the next night.
• As long as you’re sleeping soundly the entire time you’re in bed, slowly keep adding sleep on successive nights.

Source: HealthBeat – Harvard Medical School