We become annoyed that we can’t go back to sleep when we wake up earlier than our alarm clocks. So, what can we do about it?

Don’t keep your eye on the time or your phone
Use an alarm that isn’t connected to your phone if at all possible. Sleep expert and senior behavioral scientist Wendy Troxel says that light exposure from our phones makes us more alert.

Leave your bed
Direct your brain’s attention to a regular task, such as reading, knitting, or listening to relaxing music. Go back to bed when you start to feel sleepy.

Record the good and the bad
Record the times you wake up and go to bed each night. Include any relaxing methods that may have helped you fall asleep on that specific day.

It’s important to try a number of sleep-related strategies, even though they might not be effective for everyone. Turn these techniques into habits.