1. Establish routine and ritual
Stick to the same bedtime and wake up time, and even try and do this on weekends. It's really good for your body and your circadian rhythm if you stick to the same sleep patterns as much as possible. Following on from this, try and establish a relaxing ritual before you go to bed every night. Remember that quality sleep is essential. so try as much as possible to separate any stressful activities from your bedtime. Something like reading is good for the mind, as opposed to watching television or answering e-mails.
2. Create a good sleeping environment.
Make sure that your bedroom is conducive to sleep, with a comfortable bed, and a temperature that is cool without being cold (up to 18 degrees celsius is advised). Make sure that your mattress and headboard are comfortable for your back, as you don't want to wake with muscular or back pains in the night. Make sure that your room is not letting in too much light when you are trying to get sleep, and as with the previous tip, make sure that televisions or devices with lots of backlighting are not being left on.
3. Diet and Exercise
Diet and exercise can have an indirect effect on your sleep patterns. Avoiding big and rich meals are a useful way to ensure that you get a good night's sleep. It is also advisable to leave out cigarettes, alcohol or caffeine before going to sleep, as this will affect the quality of your sleep.
4. Deal with stress or anxiety
Pre-existing causes of stress and anxiety can further exacerbate any sleep problems you might be having. If you are constantly worrying about events outside your control, or finding that you are having residual irrational or angry thoughts, then it's best to try and turn these into something more productive (hence the importance of a bedtime ritual or routine). Time management is a really helpful way of attaining a good night's sleep, as you don't go to bed worrying about what you did the previous day.