Difficulty in falling and staying asleep is a common issue in today's society; stress, anxiety, overworking and overstimulation are the most common culprits, though diet and lack of exercise are just as influential.

As a general rule, dinner should not be eaten less than 1.5-2 hours before bedtime, as the digestive process can interefere with the body's ability to enter a restful place, biochemically speaking. In addition, sugary foods, including treats like juice popsicles, are best taken in that same period of time as the nighttime meal, and should not be eaten on an empty stomach (sugary foods eaten on their own cause blood sugar spikes which interfere with melatonin production). Certainly, caffeine-containing beverages should not be takenafter 2pm, as the effects of caffeine often linger long into the evening.

Once dietary habits are addressed, the time leading up to sleep should be examined. Are you going to bed at a reasonable hour? Early to bed is a good choice for  overall health. Are you watching particularly 'stimulating' or disturbing television shows or movies just before bed? Switch to more low-key programming around bedtime, or read instead. Is your bedroom shielded from outside noise (conversation, ringing telephones, the television)? This may not be entirely possible, depending on the layout and size of the home, but something can usually be done to improve this: an air filter in the room can provide enough 'white noise' to block outside sound.

As your sleep rituals change and evolve, so too should your sleep pattern. Along with these changes, taking My Herbalist's Deep Sleep should keep you grounded and waking up well-rested.