It’s a tale as old as time: You get into bed after a long day, turn the lights off, curl up under the covers, and close your eyes, hoping for a much-needed good night’s sleep. But the second your head hits the pillow at night, it feels like your thoughts start racing a mile a minute. No matter how tired you are, or how much you’ve been craving rest all day, you just can’t seem to figure out how to quiet your anxious thoughts at night for long enough to fall asleep.

Getting the proper amount of sleep can be a struggle, especially in a city like Las Vegas that operates 24 hours and workers have unusual shifts. A UNLV Assistant Professor of Psychology discusses the importance of sleep rhythms, how to associate your bed with rest instead of frustration, and when to seek medical or clinical help.