Getting to sleep at night isn't always easy, whether that's down to stress, routine or anything else that affects your day-to-day life.
But making a few simple changes before your head hits the pillow can really help you get into a good sleeping pattern and wake up feeling well-rested.
That's according to neuroscientist and sleep author Matthew Walker, who recently appeared on Stephen Bartlett's Diary of a CEO podcast to talk all things sleep and how to get the best night's rest.
Nottinghamshire Live reports that the university professor was quizzed on how people can fall asleep quicker at night and wake up in the morning feeling ready to face the day.
And in response, he said: "There's probably I think five standard tips of what we call sort of sleep hygiene. First thing is regularity. Go to bed at the same time and wake up at the same time no matter what, whether it's the weekday or the weekend."
Going into more detail, the expert explained: "Your brain expects regularity. When you give it regularity you can improve the quantity and the quantity of your sleep."
Secondly, Walker said that darkness plays a huge part in our ability to sleep well.
He said: "We don't get enough darkness in the modern world. The trick I would offer...would be in the last hour before bed, dim down half of the lights...in the last hour before bed...you will be surprised at how sleepy that darkness will make you feel."
Walker's third tip was all about making sure your sleeping space is at the appropriate temperature - which many people do not do.
The professor explained: "Most people sleep in an ambient bedroom temperature that is too high. You need to aim for bedroom temperature of about 18 to 18 and a half degrees Celsius.
"You need to drop your core body temperature and your brain temperature by about one degree Celsius to fall asleep and stay asleep. It's the reason that you will always find it easier to fall asleep in a room that's too cold than too hot, so make your bedroom cold make it dark like a cave."
Another tip that the expert suggested is the 30 minute rule.
If you've been lying down and trying to sleep for half an hour but it's just not happening, try getting up and doing something stress-free like meditating or even just walking around the house.
And the fifth and final tip is to limit the amount of alcohol you drink, as this can impact your ability to get to sleep.
Walker says: "Alcohol is very good at blocking your REM sleep or your dream sleep which we know is critical...alcohol's not your friend."
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