How to Get the Best Night of Sleep Ever

Everyone has their own bedtime rituals and habits, but if you want to get a truly great night of sleep, here's what you should be doing.

Sleep in the Right Position

Some people like to sleep like a mummy in a sarcophagus. Other people like to sleep like a starfish. And some prefer to just lay on their sides. While one position might work well for someone and not too well for another, the truth is that there is one, single sleep position that is optimal -- flat on your back. It makes it easier for your head, neck, and spine to align and stay in a neutral position without putting extra pressure or curves on the back.

Get Comfy

A lot of people like to sleep in just a pair of underwear, sweats, or even nude. Research shows that 74% of Americans wear pajamas to bed, 8% sleep naked, and the rest wear "something else." What's more, a survey found that 61% of respondents -- more than three in five -- don't have many nightwear options to choose from (i.e., they don't own several different pairs of pajamas). However, if you really want to get a great night of sleep, you might want to invest in a pair of adult onesie pajamas. Sleep experts say that a cool room -- about 65 degrees -- is ideal for sleep. Onesies pajamas can help you stay warm, allowing you to rest well.

Read Something Before Bed

Reading for bed gets your head ready for sleep. Essentially, it uses up the mental energy that may otherwise keep you awake, thinking about the events of the day, what's going to happen tomorrow, and anything else that's going to keep you from getting to sleep. The key is to read something you normally wouldn't. If you like non-fiction, read fiction, and vice versa. Or perhaps try a new genre. Instead of reading a crime novel, try reading historical fiction.

Four in 10 Americans get less than the recommended amount of nightly sleep, but it doesn't have to be that way. Sleeping on your back, wearing a pair of adult onesie pajamas, and reading before bed will help you get the best night of sleep you can possibly get. If you have any questions, feel free to share in the comments.