Avoid napping
Try to avoid day-time naps, especially if you are getting older – take some gentle exercise and keep active – you will sleep better and longer at night. Naps during the day often incorporate the deeper stage 3 sleep, which can result in more stage 1 and 2 sleep at night. This can be a problem because stage 1 and 2 sleep is lighter and you are more easily awoken. Try to restrict sleep to bed time only; the more tired you are the more likely you are to enjoy a restful sleep when you follow all the steps. Finally the toughest suggestion of all, however little you have slept, set your alarm and get up at the same time each day – no lie-ins to compensate. A little sleep deprivation will soon get you back into a better sleep routine.