I'm a notoriously bad sleeper. It's something I've just never been good at, and once the kids came along, I all but gave up on getting a decent night's sleep. Sadly, this is also a trait that I have passed on to my children. Unlike my husband, who can literally fall asleep mid-sentence in the middle of the day, sleep is not something that comes "naturally" to my girls and me. So we work at it. And what's interesting is that many of the things we do to get a better night's sleep are also things that help us go green around the house. A healthy diet is an obvious way to go green and help improve your sleep patterns. Here are a few more you might not have thought about:

 

Turn down the heat: Studies show that people sleep better in cooler temps ... that's especially true for kids. The ideal temperature for sleeping is between 61 and 66 degrees Fahrenheit. For kids who like it a bit warmer, try tucking them in with a snuggly hot water bottle.

 

Turn off the tube (and the computer): It turns out, the bright light that is emitted by TV and computer screens tricks the brain into thinking that it is still daytime, making it more difficult to wind down at day's end. Sleep experts suggest turning off all electronics for at least one hour (preferably two) before bedtime.

 

Get back to nature: Studies show that fresh air and outdoor play during the day bring on the Zzz's at night. Even just taking a walk or spending some time in the backyard after school can help you reap the sleep benefits.

 

See also:

• Why am I so tired?