People with insomnia have a specific tension profile, in which sleep-related and anxiety-related forms weigh most heavily. This explains why insomnia can be so persistent

When you’re under pressure your body enters a state of alertness. The stress hormone cortisol keeps you vigilant. That’s useful in urgent situations, but the brain doesn’t distinguish between a caregiving task tomorrow morning and a lion around the corner. Under stress, the body remains in a heightened state of readiness, which prevents proper recovery during sleep. As a result, you either don’t get enough sleep or the quality of your sleep declines.

On TikTok and Instagram, it’s showing up more and more: people showering in the dark shortly before bedtime. Just warm, running water and darkness. They claim that dark showering helps them fall asleep faster. Is that true?

Various scientific studies confirm that listening to music before going to sleep can improve sleep. This is especially true for people with mild to moderate sleep problems.

The ‘Dutch Method’: A viral sleep trend that misses the science

Good sleep is rarely the result of luck. More often, it reflects a pattern of choices, signals, and rhythms that either support rest or quietly undermine it.

Lying awake is rarely a matter of not being tired; it’s often a matter of not being able to stop thinking. Rumination — endlessly chewing over thoughts — keeps your system alert when you want to switch off. One technique that tries to break this pattern is the cognitive shuffle, developed by cognitive scientist Luc Beaudoin

You can reduce the effects of jet lag with a few smart hacks.

For people with insomnia, ASMR can be a useful addition to a bedtime routine. It signals to the body that it’s time to sleep and helps release racing thoughts. Research shows that those sensitive to ASMR have a more active brain region associated with relaxation

I want to focus on 5 commonly used sleep supplements that you can easily find at your local drugstore: valerian, L-theanine, tryptophan, 5-HTP, and zinc. Each of these has its unique properties, but, as always, it's important to take a critical look at supplements before fully relying on them

Yoga combines movement, breathing, focus, and relaxation. This appears to reduce stress and positively influence your nervous system. Interestingly, it's not about the gentle, slow yoga, but rather more intensive forms like power yoga or vinyasa flow

A sleep routine helps signal to your brain and body that it’s time to wind down. By repeating the same calming habits each day, you reduce stress, fall asleep more easily, and improve the quality of your sleep.

Which forms of physical activity are the most sleep-inducing? Research by an international team, drawn from several Asian universities, provides the answer.

Negative sleep beliefs contribute to more stress and tension in bed, worrying about sleep and poorer sleep quality

Forcing sleep rarely works. It’s precisely by letting go of control and accepting the natural rhythms of our bodies that we can experience better sleep.