The best thing about working the afternoon shift is that I get to sleep in every day. When I worked early in the morning it was hard for me to fall asleep. My mind would wander about the million tasks I had to do the next day and I would count down the hours until I needed to be up.

Here are some tips I wish I would have had for getting a better night sleep.

1. Don't shower before you go to bed. Yes, showers are relaxing, but even a warm shower will wake you up and make it hard to fall asleep.

2. Don't drink a glass of water before bed. I break this rule all of time. I keep a water bottle on my nightstand. The thought behind this is that drinking a cold glass of water before you're ready to fall asleep with wake your body up. You'll most likely need to get up to use the bathroom in the middle of the night.

3. Don't smoke a cigarette before bed. Even though smokers have a cigarette to relax, nicotine is actually a stimulant. It's kind of like having a cup of coffee before you fall asleep.

4. Don't sleep with your pets. People tend to toss and turn more when there's an animal in bed with them. Have you ever heard the saying "if you want the best seat in the house you'll have to move the cat?" The same applies for the most comfy spots in your bed.

5. Don't play video games. The same goes for watching TV or using your cell phone. The screen's brightness makes it hard for your body to tell that it's time fore bed. (Although I seem to have no trouble falling asleep during movies ... just ask my boyfriend.)

Do you have any other tricks or tips for getting a better night of sleep?

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