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Tom’s Guide
Tom’s Guide
Technology
Sarah Finley

What is melatonin? And why is it so important to your sleep?

A woman with dark curly hair closes her eyes and smiles as she lays her head on a white pillow and pulls a white duvet up to her chin. A Tom's Guide Sleep Week 2024 logo is placed over the top of the image.

Melatonin is responsible for making us feel tired in the run up to bed time, but what exactly is it why is melatonin so important for sleep? Melatonin is a naturally occurring hormone produced by a gland in the brain, signalling to your body that you need to rest and recharge (sleep). 

Your body makes as much melatonin as you need, but certain lifestyle habits can negatively impact your melatonin levels, making it harder for you to sleep. Positive lifestyle changes, such as ditching tech an hour before bed (or switching to Night Mode) and investing in the very best mattress for your body and sleep needs, can make it easier to fall asleep faster. But melatonin remains crucial to your overall sleep health.

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