Researchers have discovered a link between sleep and women's sex drives.
The North American Menopause Society studied 93,000 women aged 50 to 79 and found that the better a person is sleeping, the greater their appetite for sex and the more they enjoy it.
Try their tips to help you drift off - and boost your sex life:
ESTABLISH YOUR SLEEP GOAL
We all need varying and unique amounts of sleep [usually between six and nine hours a night]. Note how much sleep you get and how you feel in the morning to pinpoint your optimum rest period.
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SET A ROUTINE
Go to bed at roughly the same time every day, even at weekends.
DON'T EAT BEFORE BED
Your digestive system will be working overtime, disrupting your sleep. On the other hand, don't go to bed hungry.
SWITCH OFF
Avoid screens late at night, especially laptops and tablets. The bright, close light tricks your brain into thinking it is earlier in the day.
RELAX
Avoid stressful situations in the lead-up to bedtime. Establish a calming routine (herbal tea, hot bath, gentle stretches) and stay away from confrontational phone calls, technology, horror movies and paying bills.
BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU DRINK
Caffeine and alcohol affect your quality of sleep. An afternoon coffee could be keeping you awake. Similarly, a glass of wine might send you off to sleep (or make you feel amorous), but the quality of sleep will be poor.
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THE RIGHT ATMOSPHERE
Your bedroom should be the right temperature, dark, and your bed, bedding and pillow should be comfortable. This will promote the production of melatonin, a sleep-inducing hormone triggered by darkness.
HYDRATE
Keep drinking water. Dehydration is the primary cause of ''shallow" sleep, so while you don't want to wake up needing the loo, drink enough fluids to stop yourself waking up thirsty.
SEE A GP
If you have concerns about your sleep, see your GP. Don't suffer in silence.
• This article was originally published in The Times.