I’m A Functional MD & These Are My 4 Essential Tips For Deep, Restful Sleep

Similar to the bedtime transition period, Lipman suggests switching off electronics at least an hour or two before you go to sleep. If you’re only going to follow one of these sleepytime protocols, this would be it: According to Lipman, “[Artificial light] is one of the biggest—if not the biggest—issue with cultural arrhythmia, or why so many people have a sleep problem.”

He continues, “Melatonin, which is your primary sleep hormone, is not going to be secreted if there’s any little bit of light.” So if you’re exposed to the haze of your computer or phone screen late at night, it tricks your body into thinking it’s daytime—and your body won’t know that it needs to go to sleep.  

“By not letting all that blue light in, your body gets ready to start secreting the melatonin,” Lipman adds.