A Good Night's Sleep

To ease into a pleasant slumber:

• Take a warm bath a couple of hours before bedtime. The warmth should help you relax. (Don't take a warm bath immediately before bed, however, because your body needs to cool down for you to fall asleep.)

• Schedule more time for sleep. Either go to bed earlier or take a nap in the afternoon.

• Avoid caffeine late in the day. Drink your last cup of coffee by 4 p.m.

• For a relaxing evening drink, try a glass of milk.

• Don't do anything energizing close to bedtime. Exercising, paying the bills or anything that causes you to be alert may keep you awake.

• Avoid sleeping pills. Changing your behavior works better and is less dangerous in the long run.