Which of the following is NOT considered good sleep hygiene?

Which of the following is NOT considered good sleep hygiene?

• A. Daytime napping
• B. Positional therapy
• C. OTC sleep aids
• D. Regular daily activities

Answer: (C)

Good sleep hygiene centers on behaviors that support natural sleep without medications. Over-the-counter sleep aids count as pharmacologic solutions and using them regularly can lead to daytime drowsiness, tolerance, dependence, and potential drug interactions. They often mask underlying sleep problems instead of addressing the causes and can disrupt normal sleep architecture over time, so they’re not considered part of good sleep hygiene. In contrast, keeping regular daily activities helps stabilize your circadian rhythm, and while positional therapy is a targeted treatment for certain sleep disorders, it isn’t a routine hygiene habit. Brief daytime naps can be compatible with good sleep hygiene when kept short and not interfering with nighttime sleep.

Good sleep hygiene centers on behaviors that support natural sleep without medications. Over-the-counter sleep aids count as pharmacologic solutions and using them regularly can lead to daytime drowsiness, tolerance, dependence, and potential drug interactions. They often mask underlying sleep problems instead of addressing the causes and can disrupt normal sleep architecture over time, so they’re not considered part of good sleep hygiene. In contrast, keeping regular daily activities helps stabilize your circadian rhythm, and while positional therapy is a targeted treatment for certain sleep disorders, it isn’t a routine hygiene habit. Brief daytime naps can be compatible with good sleep hygiene when kept short and not interfering with nighttime sleep.