Getting to bed early is probably the biggest thing that helps me sleep. If I stay up too late, my brain suddenly thinks it’s time to replay every awkward conversation I’ve ever had or solve problems that can definitely wait until morning. Going to bed at a reasonable hour gives me the best chance of waking up feeling halfway functional instead of stumbling through the day powered by caffeine and stubbornness.

The colder the bedroom, the better. I sleep so much better when the room is cool and the bed isn’t roasting me alive. Give me a cold room, a cool bed, and a heavy blanket, and I’m a happy camper. I don’t understand the people who crank the heat and then wonder why they’re tossing and turning all night. Humans are a strange species.

The dogs also play a pretty big role in how well I sleep. If they decide the floor is more comfortable than the bed, I know I’m in for a much better night’s sleep. As much as I love them, sharing a bed with dogs is like trying to sleep while two furry boulders slowly migrate into your personal space.

Melatonin helps quite a bit too. It usually settles things down enough that I can fall asleep without staring at the ceiling forever. On the nights when sleep just isn’t happening, I’ll occasionally have a little bourbon before bed. It’s not something I rely on every night, just an occasional backup plan when my brain refuses to shut off. Between an early bedtime, a cold room, cooperative dogs, and a little help from melatonin, I’ve found a routine that works more often than not. That’s about all you can ask for in a world where a good night’s sleep sometimes feels harder to find than common sense.