Sleep routines; health insurance; kidney health; prostate problems

They may have never set foot in a sleep lab, but these health experts know the secrets of snooze

You’re trying to get a good night’s sleep. You pour your last cup of coffee for the day approximately five minutes after you get up in the morning, and your bedtime routine is so calming, it could put a wired four year old into a coma. You banish worries by writing them down in a special notebook you keep by the bed, right next to your warm milk and drug-free, homeopathic, fragrance-based sleep aids. So why do you still find yourself staring at the ceiling?

RETHINK YOUR MATTRESS

“You don’t need a really expensive mattress or one with a lot of bells and whistles. There’s really only one good study on mattresses, and it confirmed the Goldilocks theory: most people prefer a mattress that’s not too hard and not too soft. So look for something medium firm.”

DR ANDREW HECHT, co-chief of spine surgery at Mount Sinai Medical Center, New York

STICK TO A SINGLE PILLOW

“I’m not a fan of sleeping with two pillows if you’re a back sleeper because it makes your upper back curve and strains the neck and back. If you need to sleep up high for medical reasons, get a wedge and put your pillow on it.”

DR KAREN ERICKSON, chiropractor

NOD OFF WITH THE RIGHT SCENT

“My research has found that any new smell, even one associated with relaxation, can make you feel more alert. You’re better off with a scent that makes you feel safe and comfortable. There really is something to cuddling up with your spouse’s undershirt.” DR PAMELA DALTON, cognitive psychologist