Sleep hygiene and the prevention of chronic insomnia

Sleep Hygiene refers to a set of recommendations designed to maximize the ability to, and opportunity for, sleep. Despite its extensive use in primary care, especially for people with insomnia, the use of sleep hygiene, as a stand-alone therapy, in this population has been questioned. The aim of this chapter is to introduce the reader to the historical definitions of sleep hygiene, from its original definition to how it is operationalized and implemented today. In the second half of the chapter, we will move on to a broader discussion on the prevention of chronic insomnia. Unfortunately, as you will see, there is very little information on this latter topic. However, we have a good starting point theoretically, which is outlined, from which we can understand the development and trajectory of insomnia. The chapter concludes with a series of recommendations for the use of sleep hygiene, among other aspects, as preventative strategies.