3 weeks ago
Can't sleep? Five doctor-approved habits to try before melatonin
Many people have trouble falling asleep at night.
Some people take a medicine called melatonin to help them sleep.
But doctors say there are five simple things to try first.
You can put a soft topper on your mattress to make it more comfy.
You should put away phones and tablets at least 30 minutes before bed.
The light from screens can trick your brain and stop it from getting sleepy.
Listening to soft music or nature sounds can help you relax.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day trains your body like a clock.
Your bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet so you can rest well.
Try to use your bed only for sleeping, not for playing or working.
Small changes to your bedtime routine can make a big difference over time.
If you still cannot sleep well, or you snore loudly, you should talk to a doctor.
Doctors advise trying simple lifestyle tweaks before reaching for melatonin to reset your sleep schedule.
A good-quality mattress topper can improve support, ease joint pressure, and keep the spine aligned for better sleep.
Switching off phones, tablets, and laptops at least 30 minutes before bed helps because blue light interferes with melatonin production.
Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, including weekends, regulates the body's internal clock.
If sleep problems continue, symptoms like loud snoring, pauses in breathing, or excessive daytime drowsiness warrant consulting a healthcare professional.
- Who
- Subhashish Biswas, general practitioner at AM Medical Centre, and Arup Halder, consultant pulmonologist and sleep physician at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI
- What
- Doctors recommend five lifestyle habits — mattress comfort, screen-free time, soothing sounds, a consistent sleep routine, and a sleep-friendly bedroom — to try before taking melatonin
- Where
- Not specified in the articles; experts are affiliated with AM Medical Centre and CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI
- When
- Not specified in the articles
- Why
- To help people reset their sleep schedules and improve sleep quality without needing pills, costly gadgets, or drastic routines
Key facts
- Number of tips
- 5
- Recommended screen-free time before bed
- At least 30 minutes
- Suggested pre-sleep activities
- Reading, stretching, journaling, breathing and relaxation exercises
- Ideal bedroom conditions
- Cool, dark and quiet, with blackout curtains, earplugs, white noise and comfortable bedding
- Expert 1
- Subhashish Biswas, general practitioner at AM Medical Centre
- Expert 2
- Arup Halder, consultant pulmonologist and sleep physician at CK Birla Hospitals, CMRI
- Warning signs to see a doctor
- Loud snoring, pauses in breathing during sleep, excessive daytime drowsiness
Quotes
Subhashish Biswas
General practitioner at AM Medical Centre
“Create a calming pre-sleep ritual, whether it’s soft music, light reading, or a few minutes of relaxation.”
telegraphindia.com
“Better spinal alignment and reduced discomfort may make it easier to fall asleep and stay asleep.”
telegraphindia.com








