Actionsets help people take an active role in managing a health condition.  How to set up a healthy sleep environment

Introduction

Insomnia is a common condition. Most people will have an occasional bout of sleeplessness due to temporary stress, worry, or irregular schedule. However, when the inability to sleep well continues for weeks or months, it can become a health problem.

If you have chronic insomnia, it may be caused by an underlying factor such as depression, anxiety, or pain. Your insomnia will probably improve or disappear when the cause is treated successfully. Sometimes poor sleep becomes a problem of its own. Dwelling on it only makes it worse. Simply changing your beliefs about sleep and your everyday behaviors can improve your sleep dramatically.

"Sleep hygiene" measures include commonsense health practices and setting up an environment that promotes sleep.

What? - What is the medical information or key concepts related to the action? What is sleep hygiene?
Why? - Why the action is important? Why should I change my everyday habits?
How? - Learn the steps involved in taking action. How can I improve my sleep environment?
Where? - Other resources and organizations that can help you take action Where to go from here

More information about sleep problems can be found in the topics:

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Author: Maria G. Essig, MS, ELSLast Updated: January 22, 2008
Medical Review: Anne C. Poinier, MD - Internal Medicine
Jan Ulfberg, MD, PhD - Sleep Disorders

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