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Stimulus-control therapy for insomnia

The purpose of stimulus-control therapy is to reestablish the bed as the place where sleep happens, rather than the site of sleeplessness. Through this therapy, you are encouraged to go to bed only when it's time for sleep. If you are not asleep within 15 minutes, leave the bedroom and don't return until you are sleepy. You are also encouraged to have a consistent wake time every day, regardless of how much sleep you got, and to avoid naps in any location but the bed. You should not read, watch television, or eat in bed. Thus, most of your time in the bed is spent sleeping.

Author Maria G. Essig, MS, ELS
Editor Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA
Associate Editor Pat Truman, MATC
Primary Medical Reviewer Anne C. Poinier, MD
- Internal Medicine
Specialist Medical Reviewer Jan Ulfberg, MD, PhD
- Sleep Disorders
Last Updated January 22, 2008

WebMD Medical Reference from Healthwise

Last Updated: January 22, 2008
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