Not getting enough sleep can often contribute to developing ongoing joint and muscle discomfort. That's because your body uses sleep to repair the daily tissue damage that results from muscle overuse.

Though most people in today's hectic world find it tough to do, you really should make it a priority to get 8-9 hours of sleep every night. It's not enough to skip out on good sleep night after night and then "catch up" on the weekends — because catching up on sleep is a myth. It doesn't work.

A few tips to help you sleep better include:

• Don't drink alcohol near bedtime or caffeine after 4:00 pm.

• Don't use your bed for problem solving or doing work.

• Take a hot bath before bed.

• Lower your bedroom temperature at night.

• If your partner snores, consider a separate bedroom.

If you still have occasional difficulty falling or staying asleep, try using an herbal mix designed for sleep support.

Look for herbal formulas that contain ingredients such as theanine, Jamaican Dogwood, wild lettuce, valerian, passionflower and hops.