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Too many of us are guilty of a prime sleep mistake: underestimating its importance. Whereas nutrition and exercise are widely acknowledged as so-called “pillars of health,” sleep, while well-deserving of such high praise, is often maligned as something that’s “for the weak.”

But even those of us who have learned to value sufficient shut-eye aren’t necessarily sleep saints. In fact, there are a number of myths that derail us and mistakes that prevent us from peacefully drifting off to the Land of Nod.

Falling Asleep With The TV On

One of the principle rules of a sleep-inducing bedroom is to create a sanctuary that is cool, calm, quiet — and dark. The absence of light triggers the body’s natural sleepiness mechanisms to kick in, and exposing yourself to too much light too late in the day can confuse that system. That goes for more than just lamps, but also light-emitting screens, like televisions, tablets, laptops and smartphones.
Sleeping Late On The Weekend

We know what you’re thinking when Friday night rolls around: Finally, the weekend! Time to sleep in! Not so fast, experts caution. Staying up later than usual on Friday and Saturday — and indulging in a little extra morning shut-eye Saturday and Sunday — can throw off your biological clock as if you had traveled cross country. This resetting of your internal rhythms sets you up for a less-than-productive Monday, but also seems to increase chances of being overweight and other health concerns, Health.com reported. If you must stay up late, at least try to wake up around the same time, experts say, aschanging wake up times is what will throw you off the most.
Having A Drink To Help You Sleep

It’s one of the most common “sleep aids”, and yet a drink before bed likely does more bad than good. A 2013 review of studies found that alcohol seems to rob people of REM sleep while increasing the time they spend in deep sleep. While that might seem like it would be a good thing, REM sleep is a phase crucial for memory and learning, HuffPost reported. The first cycle of REM sleep may also be delayed by alcohol, meaning a post-drinking night’s sleep will feel less restful, one of the study’s researchers said in a statement.
Staying In Bed When You Can’t Sleep

It sounds counterproductive, but experts recommend climbing out of bed if you’ve been lying there for too long counting sheep. The longer you stay there willing yourself to drift off, the more anxious you’ll become about getting your seven to nine hours. Do something else relaxing and low-key, like reading or taking a slow walk around the house, for about half an hour, then get back into bed when you’re feeling truly tired.
Relying On Prescription Sleep Meds

Consider a sleeping pill like a Band-Aid. It may mask a problem, but it won’t solve it — and the welcome sleep it brings can lead to dependency, not to mention other serious health risks, including death.
Drinking Coffee Too Late In The Day

If you’re drinking caffeinated beverages late in the day it’s probably because you’re trying not to fall asleep. But if you find yourself having unexpected trouble sleeping, caffeine could be a sneaky culprit. That’s because the stimulant has a surprisingly long half-life, experts say, meaning you might feel the effects of that afternoon pick-me-up long into the evening. Instead, when you hit that afternoon slump, consider eating an energy-boosting snack, taking a short nap or getting outside for some exercise or just some sun.
Sharing The Bed With Pets

Yes, a cuddle buddy can be nice, but when your furry friend is tired of snuggling and starts to squirm or kick or purr or bark, yours is the sleep that’s going to suffer. Plus, the animal dander or pollen Fido drags into the bed could trigger your allergies, further disrupting your sleep.
Having A Protein-Heavy Dinner

So you serve up a hearty grilled steak for a late dinner on the patio and then retire to bed hoping to drift off in summery slumber. No such luck? That could be because protein is harder to digest, and your body isn’t meant to be digesting when it’s supposed to be asleep. Whole grains may help promote sleep, so considering swapping them into your late-night dinners.
Hitting Snooze

Just seven more minutes! The idea behind the snooze button is a nice one, in theory, but forcing yourself to drift in and out of sleep in such short increments disrupts the natural cycle through the various phases of sleep. That means all those snooze sessions don’t add up to quality sleep, says Mingrone. You’re better off setting the alarm for later and getting deeper sleep throughout those last minutes.
Worrying About Sleep

While it’s certainly smart to schedule enough time for sleep into your day, you also don’t want to treat bedtime like an appointment. The more anxiety we foster around sleeping, the harder we make it to doze. Instead, prepare yourself for a good night’s sleep with a calming and centering ritual or routine. Deep breathing exercises can help, as can aromatherapy or a warm bath with candles.