Sleep Better Starting Tonight

"For your evening meal, you don't want to exceed 500 to 700 calories at least two hours before bedtime," Ms. Dorfman says. Avoid eating a lot of protein in that meal because protein contributes to alertness, she says. Carbohydrates, which tend to have a calming effect, are a better choice.

You might want to re-think that brownie after dinner or late afternoon cup of tea as well. People with sleep problems who drink caffeinated coffee, tea or soda, or eat chocolate (which contains caffeine) ought to eliminate, or reduce, their caffeine intake. Caffeine stays in your system for up to seven hours and may keep you alert for 20 hours.

It also stimulates restless leg syndrome, a condition that can cause insomnia and makes it hard to fall asleep, Dr. Ebben says. If you don't want to give up caffeine entirely, Ms. Dorfman recommends timing your consumption to end by midday.

Does a full bladder regularly wake you up at night? It helps to time your last beverage for about three hours before bedtime. Even if you don't have that problem, forget the nightcap. Alcohol may make you drowsy at first, but it causes fragmented or light sleep once your body starts metabolizing it.

More ideas for restoring good sleep:

• If you can't fall asleep, get out of bed. Avoid spending time awake in your bedroom. That means no TV, laptop use or even reading under the covers.
• Nix naps. Sure, you want a daytime nap after a poor night's sleep. Fight that urge. Napping takes away from your nighttime sleep need and makes it harder to fall asleep. That sets up a continuing cycle of disrupted sleep and napping that keeps you from getting meaningful rest.
• Exercise at the right time. Morning exercise may help your body clock stay active during the day and become ready for sleep at night. "Exercise can help sleep, particularly in people who are very anxious," Dr. Ebben says. "As long as you don't do it too close to bedtime, it's something that definitely can help you sleep."
• Another good reason for losing weight. A higher body mass index (BMI) contributes to shortened sleep. Excessive weight appears to increase insomnia, Dr. Ebben says. Obesity also increases your risk of obstructive sleep apnea, in which you stop breathing during sleep. Those interruptions wake you briefly and cause fragmented sleep. See a health care professional if you think you might have sleep apnea (treatments exist even if you don't lose weight).
• Help for night shift workers. If you come home in the dawn or daylight, wear dark sunglasses to prevent confusing your body clock. Cut out all light from your bedroom while you sleep in the daytime.
• Mom was right. Warm milk gets your body ready for sleep. So does taking a hot bath. When you're warm, cozy and relaxed, you'll be sound asleep before you know it.