In 1985 the Better Sleep Council proclaimed May as the Better Sleep Month. The aim was to draw attention and raise awareness of the importance of sleep, and to encourage an improvement in sleep patterns.

31 years on this is as relevant as ever. In the United States alone up to 70 million people suffer from a sleep disorder. Less than half of the population reportedly get a good sleep on a regular basis. These are grave statistics.

What about you? How many hours sleep do you get every night, or every week? Do you wake up feeling refreshed or are you still exhausted?

Use the month of May as an opportunity to assess your own sleeping patterns. Adequate and quality sleep is an integral part of a healthy lifestyle, and should be taken seriously.

In 2015 the National Sleep Foundation issued new recommendations for sleep duration. Take the time to measure your own average sleep duration over the course of a week, and see how you compare. If you fall outside the recommended hours, take a look at your daily routine. Can anything be changed? What if you went to bed a little earlier? How would that impact your day?

Simple Steps To Improve Your Sleep

1. Find a sleeping schedule that works for you, and stick to it. This means going to bed and waking up at the same time, consistently. Our bodies respond to routine, and this will not only help you fall asleep easier but will help you sleep better also.

2. Add a winding down routine to your sleep schedule. Before you go to bed every night take some time to relax, and calm your mind. This will facilitate faster sleep and by doing the same wind down routine every night, your body will know when it’s time to sleep.

3. Make sure your sleeping environment enables quality sleep. This means having a comfortable bed with the right pillow and bedding, a dark and quiet room, and a cool temperature.