Dr. Cherry shares his tips for getting a good night’s sleep.

With the many troubles so many have been facing recently, sleeping problems have also been on the rise. Try these guidelines from Dr. Cherry to help you get the rest you need to be the light in the world as God intended.

Follow a set schedule
Go to bed at the same time each night, even on weekends; varying your sleep pattern daily can result in a problem much like jet lag. Before bed, follow a relaxing bedtime routine as well to tell your body it's time to wind down.

Exercise
Exercisers get more of the restorative deep sleep than non-exercisers. Aerobic exercise is best, but don’t exercise strenuously within 3-4 hours before bed as its energizing effects may keep you awake.

Avoid stimulants
Caffeine consumed after midday will cause sleeping problems at night. Be careful with not just coffee, but also with tea (especially black; green and white are lower in caffeine), chocolate, soft drinks, energy drinks, and certain pain relievers.

Watch what you eat
Eating heavy meals late in the evening can stimulate the digestive tract, which can keep you awake. Research has also shown that a spicy meal at night can lead to poor sleep. A glass of skim or low fat milk at bedtime really can help you sleep.

Morning exposure to sunlight
Sunlight stimulates a chemical release that controls our awake/sleep cycle. If you can’t fall asleep easily at night, try getting one hour of sunlight exposure in the morning.

Create a sleep environment
Create a room that's ideal for sleeping. Cool, quiet, and dark are usually best, but adjust the lighting, temperature, humidity and noise level to your preferences. Make sure you have a bed and pillow that's comfortable.

Don’t go to bed with stress
Read and do what 1 Peter 5:7 tells us: Cast all your cares on God. This is God’s secret for dealing with the stresses, worries, cares and anxieties of this world.

Try a supplement to promote sleep
If you still have trouble falling asleep or sleeping all night on a regular basis, you may want to try a safe, natural non-habit forming supplement. My Sleep Support contains herbs, vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that have been shown to promote a healthy, peaceful night’s sleep so you can awake rejuvenated and ready to be a light in the world.