Americans caught napping when polled about sleep

Those who aren't getting enough sleep have lots of company.

According to a new survey by SleepBetter.org and conducted by independent research firm Yankelovich, three of four Americans are tossing and turning at night and not getting the sleep they need. What's more, Americans may be nodding off when it comes to separating sleep facts from sleep fiction.

Here are just some of the responses to a recent survey from SleepBetter.org, a new website that is dedicated to tips and advice for those seeking better sleep:

Q. Can any exercise too close to bedtime inhibit sleep?

A. This is a myth, though only 24 percent of those polled answered correctly.

Q. Can counting techniques help people fall asleep?

A. This is a fact, yet only 26 percent of those taking the survey answered correctly.

Q. Does trying to fall asleep with the TV on prevent people from sleeping?

A. This is a myth, yet only 31 percent of survey recipients could answer correctly.

Q. Does the amount of sleep people need decrease with age?

A. This is a myth, yet 42 percent thought it was true.

Q. Can insomnia run in the family?

A. This is true, and 45 percent thought it was true, while 41 percent didn't know and 14 percent thought it was a myth.

Whether it's financial woes, political contention or more personal problems that are affecting the sleep habits of American families, all too many people aren't sleeping well and want to improve the quality of their rest.

To help, here are some sleep tips:

•Retire within two hours and rise within one hour of the same time every day, even on weekends.

•Avoid caffeine, nicotine and alcohol, which suppress deep sleep, within three to six hours of bedtime.

•Avoid heavy meals within three hours of bedtime.

•Use the bed for resting or sleeping, not for office work, watching television or playing video games unless it helps in dozing off.

•Put work aside two to three hours before sleeping.

•Make the bedroom into a sanctuary. Try aromatherapy or bring the freshness of the outdoors inside with air-dried sheets and sunned pillows and comforters. Linen sprays scented with soothing lavender or rose offer another option.

•Keep the bedroom quiet, dark and cool.

•If failing to fall asleep within 25 minutes, get out of bed and read for a while, selecting soothing rather than stimulating material.

•If slumber is elusive, consider a visit to a sleep specialist.

This story provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.