Stress and anxiety are sneaky little menaces that slip into our lives in small doses. At first undetected, but as time passes and they are allowed to take root in our routines. These small annoyances become threats to our well-being. The more we give in to stress, the more overwhelming it can be and we’ll find it popping up in the least desirable places… like in the middle of the night, when we might have been trying to enjoy a peaceful night’s sleep.

Those who experience trouble sleeping may find that their inability to get a good night’s rest affects every aspect of their daily life, such as performance at work and interpersonal relationships.

Stress and insomnia may affect many people in different ways, but there are a few things you can do to make going to sleep easier:

• Establish a routine. According to the Sleep Council, establishing a sleep routine in which you go to bed and wake up at roughly the same time every day can program the body to sleep better. Stick to this routine as closely as possible, even on weekends, when you may be tempted to sleep in or stay up later.

• Replace an old or uncomfortable mattress. Some people struggle to get a good night’s rest because their mattress is no longer conducive to sleep or because a new mattress simply isn’t the right fit. If you find yourself shifting throughout the night in an attempt to find a comfortable sleeping position, then your mattress might be the culprit behind your insomnia.

• Exercise. Moderate exercise can help relieve stress, which is a common cause of acute insomnia. But try to avoid working out too close to bedtime, as vigorous exercise shortly before bedtime can make it harder to fall asleep.

Insomnia can affect nearly every aspect of daily life, but fret not, there are ways to get past it and get back to enjoying bedtime, instead of having to add it to your list of anxieties.