“Sleep hygiene” doesn’t mean taking a shower or a bath before you go to bed, although that’s always a good idea. Rather, it’s the best and most efficient way to get the maximum health benefits from sleep. The National Sleep Foundation, NSF, defines sleep hygiene as a group of practices that help maintain regular waking and sleep patterns. These practices can differ from individual to individual, depending on their particular physiology. For example, for a person who struggles with sleepiness during the daytime, the NSF recommends they spend a minimum of eight hours in bed. And someone who has difficulty sleeping at night should limit themselves to seven hours in bed to maintain the sleep pattern.

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