What's Actually the Best Way to Get a Good Night's Sleep? We Asked Scientists
Gizmodo • • health
Key Points:
- About 37% of U.S. adults in 2022 reported insufficient sleep, with only 42% satisfied with their sleep in 2024, highlighting a persistent national issue with sleep quality.
- Experts emphasize the importance of consistent sleep schedules, especially regular wake-up times, and recommend winding down with relaxing activities and avoiding electronics before bed to strengthen the body’s internal clock.
- Exposure to natural daylight, particularly in the morning combined with physical activity, helps anchor circadian rhythms, making it easier to fall asleep and improving overall sleep quality.
- Melatonin supplements can aid night owls by helping regulate sleep timing if taken properly, but over-the-counter antihistamines like Benadryl are discouraged due to potential cognitive side effects and grogginess.
- Maintaining a dark, cool, and quiet sleeping environment, avoiding stimulants and heavy meals before bedtime, and managing stress without over-worrying about sleep are key strategies for better rest, according to sleep researchers.
