A good night’s sleep feels like a million bucks, so struggling to have restful sleep, or even get to sleep, can be incredibly frustrating. Plus, nobody feels like being a zombie during their waking day. Thankfully there are a few ways you can work toward more easily dozing off at night. Here are five ways you can prepare for a good night’s rest.

Sleep in a Comfortable Environment

Quite obviously, it can be difficult to fall asleep when there’s too much noise around. But that’s not the only way you can be uncomfortable when getting to sleep, and in fact, there are some discomforts you may not be acutely aware of. For example, your bed can cause you mild discomfort if it’s not hard or soft enough. Or, the temperature in your room may be too hot or too cold, which may also cause sleeping problems. Take a good look at the environment you’re sleeping in and try to cut out any uncomfortable elements.

Don’t Look at Screens Before Bed

Only a problem recently, looking at screens in bed is now a big cause of restless sleep. Looking at lights before sleep tricks the brain into thinking it’s still daylight, not time for sleep. Do your best to not look at a digital display for the hour before bedtime. If you have to look at your phone or laptop while in bed, turn the brightness as far down as possible. You can also look at installing an app or program that adapts your screen’s brightness depending on the time of the day.

Have a Bedtime Ritual

Instead of looking at your phone in bed, consider picking up a different activity. Reading is a popular pre-bed activity for many, and for good reason. It helps your brain wind down from the stresses of the day and get ready for sleep. Besides reading, some other popular activities before sleep are keeping a journal and performing deep-breathing exercises. If you keep up these habits over time, your body will adapt and know that once you start your activity, it will soon be time to sleep.

Follow a Regular Sleeping Schedule

Part of your difficulties getting to sleep may be caused by irregular sleeping patterns. Our bodies have evolved to rise and fall with the sun, and although people have adapted to working night shifts, we still must get regular sleep. Waking at different hours of the days can confuse your body and throw off your circadian rhythms, causing you to have trouble getting to sleep and having a good night’s sleep when you do.

Avoid Alcohol

Despite popular belief, while alcohol can make you fall asleep easier, it does negatively affect the quality of your sleep. Ever wonder why some people say they find it easy to wake up after a night of drinking? Try to cut out alcohol during the week to see if this is having an effect on your sleep.

If you’ve tried these tips and you’re still having a hard time getting to sleep, consider seeing a doctor who will be able to give you more personalized advice or even prescribe medication if your condition is serious enough. After all, sleep is not just a convenience. It’s a major necessity of our life. Getting better sleep will allow you to live a happier and healthier life.