So, that means, no screen time for at least an hour, a hot bath or shower, and possibly a pre-sleep relaxation meditation, she suggests. It’s also a good idea to avoid food and alcohol close to bedtime, as research shows both can negatively affect sleep. You can also specifically ask your dreaming mind to solve a problem, “or reflect on an aspect of your life that you would like some input on,” she explains. Writing your query down, she adds, seems to increase the likelihood of dreaming about the topic. (Be sure to check out our full guide on lucid dreaming if you want to know more!) Even if you’re far from controlling your dreams, we can all do little things throughout the day and before bed to relax our minds and set ourselves up for a good night’s sleep.