Improve your memory with sleep

People who regularly spend quality time with their pillow, around eight hours every night, have better memories than those who do not, according to the latest research.

Announced in a November 12 news release, the new study revealed that people who sleep well are good at reorganizing memories and picking out emotional details. The research was recently published in Current Directions in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science.

Jessica D Payne, co-author of the research from the University of Notre Dame, noted that by restructuring memories, good sleepers are also better able to come up with new and creative ideas.

"In our fast-paced society, one of the first things to go is our sleep," she said in the release. "I think that's based on a profound misunderstanding that the sleeping brain isn't doing anything." She added, "People who say they'll sleep when they're dead are sacrificing their ability to have good thoughts now."

How to get a better night's rest? Health information website WebMD recommends the following:

1. Cut caffeine - the effects of caffeine can take as long as eight hours to wear off.
2. Avoid alcohol as a sleep aid - it may initially help you fall asleep, but it can also lead to less-than-restful sleep.
3. Relax before bedtime - create a pre-sleep ritual, such as light stretching or a hot bath, to help you unwind from the day.
4. Exercise - regular exercise, usually in the mornings or afternoons, can help you sleep like a baby.
5. Keep your bedroom dark, quiet, and comfortable.

For more tips on restful sleep: http://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/guide/10-tips-to-get-better-sleep

A few helpful videos on how to sleep better:

How To Get More Sleep
http://www.howcast.com/videos/386233-How-To-Get-More-Sleep

How To Eat For a Good Night's Sleep
http://www.howcast.com/videos/282240-How-To-Eat-For-a-Good-Nights-Sleep

How To Sleep Well As You Get Older
http://www.howcast.com/videos/351798-How-To-Sleep-Well-As-You-Get-Older

How To Sleep Longer
http://www.howcast.com/videos/353534-How-To-Sleep-Longer

How To Get To Sleep and Stay There
http://www.howcast.com/videos/351779-How-To-Get-To-Sleep-and-Stay-There