Better Sleep

Sleep Hygiene Guide: The Complete Checklist

Every evidence-based habit that improves sleep, ranked by impact and effort.

March 13, 20268 min readBetter Sleep

Get morning sunlight

10–15 minutes within 30 minutes of waking anchors your circadian rhythm.

Keep a consistent schedule

Same bedtime and wake time, every day — including weekends.

Optimize your bedroom

Cool (65–68 °F), dark, quiet. Invest in blackout curtains and white noise if needed.

Cut caffeine after 2 p.m.

Caffeine's 5–7 hour half-life means an afternoon coffee still affects deep sleep.

Limit alcohol and screens

Both fragment sleep architecture even when they don't delay onset.

Reserve the bed for sleep

No work, no streaming. Strengthens the bed–sleep mental association.

Editorial standards

Last reviewed March 2026 against current US sleep medicine guidelines by the Sleep Disorder Symptoms editorial team. This article is educational and is not medical advice — see our medical disclaimer and editorial policy.

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