Welcome to Healthline’s Better Sleep Challenge! A three-week series designed to help you sleep better, feel more rested, and wake up ready to thrive each day
You’re tired. It’s been a long day. Your head finally hits the pillow… but now why is your brain suddenly wide awake?We’ve all been there. Tossing and turning, looking at the clock and counting how many hours until you have to be up again, unable to get your mind to stop replaying the day… or tomorrow’s to-do list
We all know quality sleep is important. Getting enough of it? That’s another story. That’s why we created Healthline’s Better Sleep Challenge. A three-week series designed to help you understand what healthy sleep is, build sustainable habits, and remove any roadblocks so you can make better sleep stick
But here’s the thing: we know it’s not always this simple. If you’re a new parent, a carer, working night shifts, or juggling other sleep disruptors, getting an uninterrupted night’s sleep may not always feel possible. This challenge is for you, too. It will help you learn how to work with the sleep you can get and make it count by focusing on quality sleep whenever your head hits the pillow.
For the next three weeks, we’ll guide you through simple, practical steps to help you build healthier sleep habits and routines. You’ll get a new challenge each weekday, allowing you to follow along in real time or move at a pace that works for you
Ready to get a better night’s sleep? Let’s dive in
How does the challenge work?
Over the next three weeks, we’ll work together to build better sleep habits, one day at a time. We’ll also be incorporating expert advice and community quotes with high quality health information reviewed by our network of medical professionals to ensure you feel in control of your health
The challenge will be broken down into three weekly themes:
- Week 1: Reset your sleep. The first week will focus on building your understanding of healthy sleep and laying the foundation for healthier sleep habits.
- Week 2: Master your bedtime routine:The second week will explore simple and practical bedtime habits and relaxing rituals to help you prepare for a better night’s sleep.
- Week 3: Remove the roadblocks to better sleep: The final week will help you identify and remove common sleep obstacles each so you can make better sleep stick.
The challenge will be featured on the Healthline homepage Monday to Friday. You can follow along in real time or move through it at a pace that feels right for you
Here’s how you can follow along with the challenge
Ready to get started? Here’s your weekly guide to the challenge
Week 1: Reset your sleep
Week 2: Master your bedtime routine
Week 3: Remove the roadblocks to better sleep
How to make the most of the challenge
Here are some ways you can set yourself up today to make the most of the challenge:
- Explore our Sleep Health hub: Check out Healthline’s hub for routines and tips for healthier sleep.
- Follow us on social media: We’ll link to articles on our Instagram page in that timeframe.
- Bookmark the Healthline homepage: We’ll update the homepage daily with that day’s Healthy Aging Challenge article, starting October 5th.
- Bookmark this page: This page lists every article in the series to help you follow along. If you’re reading this after October 2026, you can join the challenge by following each article from the start of the list again.
- Sign up for our newsletters:Follow along with this challenge in our newsletters, and explore more high quality health information on other topics that may be beneficial for you.
When to speak with a doctor about sleep
It’s common to have difficulty falling asleep every now and then, especially when you have a lot on your mind. However, if you’re constantly having trouble falling asleep, it’s important to speak with a doctor
You should also speak with a doctor if you:
- lie awake for long periods at night and can’t fall asleep
- wake up constantly during the night
- wake up early and find it hard to go back to sleep
- find that your sleep problems are making it hard for you to focus during the day or complete your usual activities
A doctor can work with you to identify the cause and develop an effective treatment plan to support your individual needs
»Learn more:Simple Tips to Help You Fall Asleep Quickly
