Having an erratic sleep schedule

Getting good and consistent sleep is crucial for our body’s overall functioning, but the temptation to stay up late or indulge in other bad sleep habits can take their toll. “What is problematic are those who have erratic bedtimes, watching TV and dozing off on an irregular schedule, using things like alcohol and caffeine to relax or alert you, or exercising too vigorously within an hour of bedtime,” Dr. South-Paul says. These behaviors are likely to disrupt sleep patterns, she says. What about hitting the snooze button? If you’re a serial snoozer and hit the alarm multiple times, you’re cutting down on good, constant sleep—plus, if you’re not ready to get up, it probably means you didn’t get enough sleep. According to some sleep experts, hitting snooze can set you into a new sleep cycle that you won’t have time to finish, leaving you in a state of sleep inertia that may cause you to be groggy throughout the day. Next, find out some habits you’ve always thought were healthy that you actually need to stop doing.