Can't sleep? Besides the thoughts about the car payments and promotions and your future, not to mention your kids' futures (if you have kids), you worry about that 6 a.m. alarm. You wonder how you'll get enough sleep to be rational, energized and coherent tomorrow. No, wait, it is tomorrow. It's 1 a.m. and you can't sleep.
It only gets worse. You won't sleep, because you're worrying about sleeping, which makes your body and mind even more restless. Worry, even more than caffeine, is the number-one sleep destroyer.
There are others, though, make no mistake. Take a look at our chart of sleep aids and sleep destroyers. You receive points or lose points for each one. See how you score.
You do relaxation techniques While in bed |
+10 +5 |
You exercise vigorously for two hours At 7 p.m. |
+10 -10 |
| You take a bath before bedtime |
+8 |
| You get no physical exercise |
-20 |
| You read a relaxing book before bed |
+15 |
| You watch "Letterman" while in bed |
-20 |
| You smoke |
-14 |
| You drink beer before going to bed |
-14 |
You drink tea The tea is one of six caffeine-filled beverages |
+7 -12 |
You take a short snooze when you're tired At 11 a.m. |
+1 -11 |
You can't sleep so you go online for five minutes You argue in a chat room about Al Gore |
0 -20 |
You eat a bedtime snack 2 hours before bedtime 30 minutes before bedtime 30 minutes after bedtime The snack is a plate of chicken wings and Ore-Ida fries |
+4 +4 -6 -10 -12 |
| You make or take 2 or more late-night phone calls |
-4 |
| You worry about family conflicts |
-20 |
| You worry about finances |
-20 |
| You worry about test/homework |
-20 |
| You worry about your job/career |
-20 |
| You worry about your love life |
-20 |
| You worry about going to sleep |
-20 |