The Keys to Better Sleep

March means longer days, warm spring air, and everything coming back to life. It also means Daylight Saving Time stealing an hour of our precious sleep.

If you’re feeling a little off after the “spring forward,” you’re not alone. Your internal clock doesn’t magically reset overnight. It needs the right cues. The good news? A few simple tweaks to your routine can help you adjust faster and so that you can actually enjoy those brighter evenings.

Start The Day Right

Getting natural sunlight in your eyes within 30–60 minutes of waking anchors your circadian rhythm and starts a 14–16-hour timer for melatonin release that night. There’s no need to stare directly at the sun – indirect sunlight is still effective. Aim for 5–10 minutes on a sunny day (15–30 if cloudy).

Caffeine: The Most Popular Drug in the World

About 80% of adults worldwide start their day with caffeine, making it the most widely used psychoactive substance on the planet. Some things to consider before you pour your next cup:

• Caffeine Half-life: Caffeine stays in your system 8–10 hours on average. This means your afternoon coffee could still impact sleep at night.
• Deep sleep reduction: Even if you fall asleep, caffeine can reduce slow-wave (deep) sleep and REM quality.
• Timing: Aim to avoid caffeine at least 8–10 hours before bedtime. If you’re sensitive, cut it earlier.

Caffeine can be great for alertness, focus, and performance, but you may want to plan it around your circadian rhythm, so it doesn’t sabotage your sleep.

QRT: Quantity, Regularity, Timing

Good sleep isn’t just about how long you’re in bed. It’s about:

• Quantity: Aim for 7–9 hours per night.
• Regularity: Keep your sleep and wake times consistent.
• Timing: Align your sleep with your natural circadian rhythm (night for most adults).

Of these, regularity may be the most underestimated factor in long-term sleep quality.
Aim to go to bed and wake up at a consistent time every day.

Use the 3–2–1 Rule Before Bed

To simplify your evening routine, consider the following:

• 3 hours before bed: no large meals or alcohol
• 2 hours before bed: no intense exercise
• 1 hour before bed: no phone, no bright screens, dim overhead lights

Heavy meals raise body temperature and keep digestion active. Alcohol may make you
sleepy at first but disrupts REM sleep and often causes early awakenings.

Sleep in a Cool, Dark Room

Sleeping in a room that is too hot or too bright can affect sleep quality. Most people sleep best around 60–67°F, as your body needs to drop its core temperature to fall asleep. Keep the room dark and cool to support this natural process.

Don’t Lie Awake in Bed

If you can’t fall asleep after about 20 minutes in bed, get up, go into dim light, and return when sleepy. This prevents your brain from associating your bed with wakefulness. You should also avoid dwelling on stressful situations, doom-scrolling, or watching TV in bed. Over time, using your bed for anything other than sleep can condition your brain to stay alert there, making it harder to fall asleep even on nights you do everything “right.”