I sleep a lot and when I sleep, I'm literally dead to the world. As in seriously. To wake me up will be a humongous effort. Back in school, I only heard the siren waking us up in the morning twice for the whole two years. And yet, I slept just beside the window. A miracle.

Apparently, the duration of us sleeping does not justify that we will be fresh in the morning. Actually, the quality of hour sleep are determined the moment photon of lights enter our eyes. In simple words, in the morning.

There is actually techniques to be a better sleeper. Well, although you might cringe and think that needing sleep is a sissy act, think again. People get grumpy when they don't get enough sleep. Ask those working on graveyard shifts like those working in a hospital. Lacking sleep will lead to disasterous things, to the point of worsening a patient's already deteriorating health.

1. One hour
just to wind down. Get this 60 minutes to turn from the person who can do everything to be someone who needs sleeping. But living in this fast-moving world, we find ourselves not being able to shut down for an hour to focus on getting a good night sleep. Women especially, put others need in front of them. They do household chores, chasing the kids around the bedroom and those who are working will be sitting in front of the computer doing things that they thought necessary but can actually but done tomorrow.

Quit chatting on the Internet, off the email reminder on and distance yourself from your mobile phone. Do something else relaxing instead like reading or even listening to the music.

Most of us are workaholic without us realising. But try not to work too late as your body will not be able to adept so fast to the idea that 'I have to rush home, change and sleep.' Anything left on the table can be done tomorrow.'

2. Schedule
We are creatures of habit so why distraught the cycle? Open your eyes and pull yourself out of the bed at the same time. Thus, it will continue to tell that 'This is 7 am and I'm supposed to be up' and 'This is 11.45 noon and I shouldn't be mapping a Nigerian river on my table'

3. Be Zen
as in be calm. Exercise, enjoy life and be grateful for it. Miserable face leads to miserable life. Practise yoga, taichi or whatever it is to lead you sleep.

Enjoy life and be silly with your friends. And don't forget to be grateful for every breath you take. Putting yourself in Zen, will give you a very good night sleep.

4. Block gory details out of your mind
Believe me, the Stephen King character in his Needful Things won't just disappear if you decide to continue reading tomorrow. The gory storylines will definitely hinder you from falling asleep the moment you put your head on the pillow.

So, these are some of the steps that might help you and me from dozing of on our tables. Like seriously, the keyboard looks very inviting and comfy.

Resource: Be Smart, Feel Sexy and become slimmer with a better night's sleep, Reader's Digest July 2008