Can’t get to sleep? Do you crawl into bed, only to toss and turn? Everyone experiences insomnia once in a while, but if you have a hard time getting to sleep frequently, it’s time to take action. Your body needs enough sleep to recover from its labors and renew its energy to start all over again the next day.

Programmed to cycle with natures’ rhythms of sunrise and sunset, your body gets confused when the cycle is interrupted. Continued sleep deprivation compromises your immune system, which means you will catch colds and flu more often, and it inhibits your physical performance in dance, sports, or yoga.

Too little slee

p affects your brain, too. Fatigue increases the production of the stress hormones that cause you to gain weight and become depressed. A few nights of tossing and turning can make a grouch out of anyone, even putting a strain on your relationships with friends and family.

But, the good news is, you can develop better sleep habits if you know what’s keeping you awake.

  1. Examine your state of mind. Anxiety, worry, anticipation, excitement, frustration, self-doubt, and fear are just the beginning of a long list of emotions that stimulate the production of adrenaline, preventing you from falling asleep.
  2. Examine what you eat and drink. Caffeine, sugar, and what you eat for dinn er can create chemical havoc that affects your sleep patterns.
  3. Examine your sleeping environment. An uncomfortable bed or a room that is too hot or too cold can distract you from falling asleep.
  4. Examine your bedtime ritual. Do you do your homework, read for hours, or talk on the phone from bed?