7. Get a good night's sleep

Getting fewer than seven hours of sleep every night for weeks can affect blood pressure. Conditions that can disturb sleep include sleep apnea, restless legs syndrome and sleeplessness, also called insomnia. Being overweight also can cause pauses in breathing while you sleep, a condition called sleep apnea. Sleep apnea raises blood pressure.

Adults should try to get 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night. Let your healthcare professional know if you often have trouble sleeping. Finding and treating the cause can help improve sleep. But if you don't have sleep apnea or restless legs syndrome, follow these simple tips for getting more restful sleep.

• Stick to a sleep schedule. Go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. Try to keep the same schedule on weeknights and on weekends.
• Make where you sleep restful. Keep the sleeping space cool, quiet and dark. Do something that relaxes you in the hour before bedtime. That might include taking a warm bath or doing relaxation exercises. Turn off screens such as your TV, phone and computer screen.
• Watch what you eat and drink. Don't go to bed hungry or too full. Try not to have large meals close to bedtime. And don't use nicotine, caffeine and alcohol close to bedtime.
• Take shorter naps. If napping during the day helps you, keep naps to 30 minutes or less, and take them earlier in the day. You may sleep better at night.