Insomnia? Keep a sleep diary

Anyone who's ever suffered from insomnia knows the severe effects it can have of your life -- you're moody, emotional, frustrated and far less productive when you're running on little to no sleep. I know -- I've been there. And I know that you'll do almost anything to get to the bottom of the problem and start sleeping normally again.

Everyday Health has a suggestion: Keep a sleep diary. Upon waking, here are things you should note:

• What time you woke up and what time you went to bed at
• How many hours of sleep you think you got last night
• How many times your remember waking up and for how long
• At what time you had caffeine or alcohol the day before, and how much
• What you ate during the day, particularly in the evening.
  
• How you were feeling during the day, and especially how you were feeling when you went to bed
• What medications you took during the day, if any.
  

These might not seem like aspects that would contribute to your sleep deprivation, but over time you'll begin to notice some patterns that will help you solve the sleep problem once and for all.