3 Tips To Improve Your Sleep And ‘Treat Insomnia’ According To A Neuroscientist

Sleep is an essential part of our daily lives and our overall health. It plays a crucial role in everything from cognitive function and physical health to emotional regulation. Unfortunately, though, many of us struggle to get consistent, good sleep. Great rest can be hard to come by, but luckily, there are steps you can take to get there.

According to neuroscientist Dr. Rachel Barr, quality sleep is about more than just the number of hours you’re getting each night. It’s also essential to create an environment and routine that supports optimal brain function and overall health if you want to get the rest you deserve. In a recent TikTok, she shared three scientifically-backed tips for improving sleep: keeping the room cool, practicing stimulus control, and establishing a consistent sleep-wake schedule. Learn more about each of these great tips below.

It turns out that sleeping in a cool room is more than a personal preference; according to Dr. Barr, it can also make all the difference in the quality of your sleep. She says your bedroom should ideally remain between 16 to 19 degrees Celsius (around 60 to 66 degrees Fahrenheit). “The brain has some delicate chemistry and rhythms that it needs to go through, and it needs that cool temperature to do so,” she explains. If you feel the urge to bundle up with heavy blankets and cozy pajamas, that’s just fine—the body can regulate its temperature effectively if the room stays cool. This cool environment will help the brain transition smoothly into sleep, ensuring that all necessary processes, including the release of sleep hormones like melatonin, can function optimally. Perfect!