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Too many Americans take sleep for granted. They view morning grogginess as just an annoyance. In reality, chronic poor sleep quality is linked to serious health problems, including heart problems, type 2 diabetes, dementia and possibly even cancer! No wonder so many doctors emphasize the importance of going to bed earlier at night.

The Importance of Evening Darkness

Getting a good night’s sleep is much easier when you feel drowsy at bedtime. Instead of tossing and turning, you can’t wait for your head to hit your pillow.

Feelings of sleepiness aren’t a coincidence; they’re caused by special hormones, including melatonin. The body only produces melatonin when it’s dark out. Bright lights, on the other hand, make you feel alert.

Evening darkness is one of the main factors that get you in the mood for sleep. Many sleep experts recommend making sure your bedroom is dark and cool for a deep, restful sleep all night long.

The Benefits of Beautiful Sunsets

Sunsets are good for your health in other ways, too. Making time to watch the sun go down can help you physically, emotionally and mentally:

• Happiness
• Feelings of peace
• Sense of well-being and satisfaction
• Stress relief
• Disconnection from electronic devices
• Positive focus
• Boost of inspiration, imagination and creativity
• Moments with loved ones

When you talk with friends or play with pets while watching the sunset, you let go of the day’s anxieties. This can improve your digestion, heart rate, blood pressure, blood sugar and countless other aspects of your health.

A Good Sleep Routine at Night

A healthy sleep pattern is the way your body should work all of the time. Unfortunately, when the sun stays up past 9 p.m., it can be hard to wind down properly.

One way to sleep better is to have a set evening ritual after sunset that’s designed for relaxation. For some people, 10 p.m. means it’s time to take a warm bath, turn down the lights, listen to some soft music, read a book or enjoy a cup of tea.