Nearly everyone has experienced the frustration of not being able to fall asleep. You know what happens – eventually you start staring at the clock and calculating how many hours of sleep you’d get if you fell asleep right that second. As it turns out, experts say that this practice can be stress-inducing and actually make it more difficult to fall asleep! So, what can you do to help improve your sleep?

The key to a good night’s rest actually starts before it’s time to go to bed. Establishing a pre-bedtime routine can help ease the transition and let your body know that it’s time to go to bed. Your routine can include taking a shower, journaling, reading a book, or any other activity that helps you relax. Try to avoid doing anything stressful, as this can cause your body to produce the hormone cortisol, which can make you more alert, rather than sleepy.

Make sure that you’re only going to bed when you’re tired. When it comes time to actually go to sleep, make sure your bedroom is conducive to sleeping, meaning it should be dark, cool, and quiet. A sleep mask can help to block out any light that comes in from the outside. If you find even the smallest noises distracting, try investing in a pair of earplugs or a white noise machine or app on your phone.

The next time you have trouble sleeping, try any of the tips above to help yourself fall asleep. And, if your current apartment is what’s keeping you up at night, contact One 51 Place to learn about the benefits of renting one of our spacious Alachua, FL, apartments.