This is the evidence-based sleep hygiene protocol recommended by Dr. Akash Parihar as the first step of insomnia treatment — before any medication. Implementing all 7 steps consistently for 2 weeks resolves mild insomnia in 60% of patients.
1
Fix Your Sleep & Wake Time — Daily
सोने और उठने का समय निश्चित करें — सातों दिन, रविवार भी
The most powerful sleep intervention. A consistent wake time (even on weekends) anchors your circadian rhythm within 5–7 days. Choose a wake time and commit — even if you slept poorly.
Daily · रोज़
2
No Screens 60 Minutes Before Bed
सोने से 60 मिनट पहले मोबाइल, TV, Laptop पूरी तरह बंद
Blue light from screens suppresses melatonin by up to 85%. Swap screens for: light reading, journaling, deep breathing, or calm music. This single change improves sleep onset by 20–30 minutes in most people.
9:30 PM
3
No Caffeine After 2:00 PM
दोपहर 2 बजे के बाद चाय, कॉफी, कोल्ड ड्रिंक बंद — कैफीन 6-8 घंटे रहती है
Caffeine has a half-life of 5–6 hours. A 4 PM chai means half the caffeine is still active at 10 PM. This applies to green tea, energy drinks, and many sodas — not just coffee.
By 2 PM · दोपहर 2 बजे तक
4
Keep Bedroom Cool & Dark
कमरा ठंडा (18–22°C) और अंधेरा रखें — शरीर का तापमान गिरने पर नींद आती है
Core body temperature must drop 1–2°C to initiate sleep. A cool room accelerates this. Darkness is essential — even a small LED light disrupts deep sleep stages. Use blackout curtains or an eye mask.
18–22°C
5
4-7-8 Breathing Technique
4-7-8 साँस तकनीक — Parasympathetic System को activate करती है, मन शांत होता है
Inhale through nose for 4 seconds → Hold breath for 7 seconds → Exhale through mouth for 8 seconds. Repeat 4 cycles. This activates the parasympathetic nervous system, reducing cortisol and preparing the brain for sleep.
Bedtime · सोते समय
6
Bed = Sleep Only (Stimulus Control)
बिस्तर पर सिर्फ सोएँ — मोबाइल, खाना, काम नहीं। बिस्तर और नींद का रिश्ता बनाएँ।
Your brain learns associations. If you use bed for scrolling, working, or worrying, it associates bed with wakefulness. Use bed only for sleep (and intimacy). This is the most underused and most powerful CBT-I technique.
Always · हमेशा
7
Get Up After 20 Minutes of Wakefulness
20 मिनट में नींद न आए तो उठ जाएँ — बिस्तर पर जागते न लेटें, चिंता बढ़ती है
If you lie awake for 20+ minutes, get up. Sit in dim light and read something non-stimulating. Return to bed only when sleepy. This breaks the anxiety-wakefulness cycle that perpetuates chronic insomnia.
If Awake · जागने पर
⚠️ Important Note
Sleep hygiene alone resolves mild insomnia (less than 3 months duration). For chronic insomnia (3+ months), formal CBT-I therapy with Dr. Akash Parihar is required. Do not try to manage chronic insomnia alone — it often indicates an underlying condition requiring clinical attention.
3 महीने से ज़्यादा की अनिद्रा के लिए सिर्फ Sleep Hygiene काफी नहीं — डॉ. आकाश परिहार के साथ CBT-I थेरेपी ज़रूरी है।