The days are shorter than ever now, and you could take this as a cue to look at how much sleep you’re getting. A human being can live longer without food than without sleep, and getting sufficient rest will help get you through the winter without having to battle colds and flu. Of course, with less sunlight around, sometimes people sleep too much, and end up feeling a little less sharp than they could be.

So, how much sleep is right for you? It depends. When a person eats a heavier diet, drinks alcohol, and doesn’t stay active enough, they will usually find they need more sleep. An active person who eats lots of fresh fruit and veg., and less bread, dairy and meat, is likely to need less sleep in order to stay bright and alert.

If you’re tossing and turning, here are a few tips:

1. Have a light, plain, high-carb snack before bed, such as a rice cracker or piece of toast with a little avocado spread on. Stay away from fruit or raw veggies before bed, though, as these are better for waking up than winding down. Also avoid very spicy or fatty foods at dinner.

2. Make sure the room where you sleep is not overheated—it’s tempting to turn up the heater before getting between cold sheets in the winter, but the body actually rests best in a slightly cooler room.

3. Spend time winding down quietly before bed without turning on the TV or doing something else that stimulates the senses.

4. Having a somewhat consistent daily routine will help to establish a normal sleep / wake cycle in the body at a biochemical level.

Feel like you’re spending too much time asleep? Try the following:

1. Make sure you’re not overeating—get up from the table while your stomach still feels just ever so slightly light.

2. Take some time off from eating meat, dairy, and processed foods, using fresh veggies, fruit, and fresh cooked pulses instead.

3. Pace yourself—stay aware of how much energy you’re putting out there, and most importantly, make sure the things you do bring back good returns, rather than leaving you feeling empty and uninspired.
Of course, falling in love is the best way to ensure that you’re bouncing happily out of bed each morning ready to welcome the day. So make that happen asap!