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Sleep Basics

Understand sleep timing, everyday tiredness and the foundations of a more restful night.

Think about both time and quality

Sleep involves more than the hours between bedtime and your alarm. Internal clocks help organize wakefulness and sleep, and sleep moves through stages across the night. NHLBI's introduction to sleep explains these foundations. Begin with two questions: have you left enough time for rest, and what is your sleep actually like? Keep the answers descriptive rather than giving yourself a score.

Start with your mornings

Read Wake Up Refreshed for a practical look at waking, daylight and keeping useful notes. Then explore the five habits guide to choose an everyday change. You can begin with the part of your day that is easiest to adjust. Bring ongoing sleep concerns to a healthcare professional rather than continually adding new rules to your routine.