Sleep is vital for our physical and psychological wellbeing. In fact, the beautiful Gwyneth Paltrow swears by it, saying it's fundamental to looking good. Nowadays, it can be tricky to completely shut off and dissolve into a state of relaxation.

March is National Bed Month (what do you mean you didn't know?!). Don't get too excited. The government hasn't introduced a "Duvet Day". The aim here is to emphasise how important it is to get a sound snooze.

To celebrate, here are a few tips on how to get a good night's kip.

Make sure your room's dark. When it's time to sleep, the darker your room is, the better you'll sleep. Heavy curtains or blinds are your best bet for blocking light from windows, or put on a sleep mask to cover your eyes. Make sure you cover up electrical items such as glowing TV screens, digital clocks and mobiles.

Have a regular bedtime and stick to it. Who said sticking to a bedtime routine was just for the kids? It applies to grownups, too. Having a set bedtime allows your body to adjust to a schedule, making it easier to nod off.

Relieve your bladder before bed. There's nothing worse than needing to go in the middle to the night; not only will it bring you out of your deep sleep, it'll take you some time to get back into it.

Limit your caffeine intake. Try to avoid drinking caffeine after 4p.m. It's important to know caffeine is in more than just tea or coffee. Energy drinks and even soft drinks contain caffeine, often in large amounts. Even if you are one of those people who can drink coffee before bedtime and still fall asleep, you may be surprised by how much better you sleep without that caffeine-infused beverage.

Avoid excess alcohol. Sure, drinking in moderation (a glass of wine), is no problem and, nine times out of ten, drinking alcohol will relax you, but drink excessively, and you'll find it harder to stay asleep.

Try to do something quiet to wind down before bed. Having too much on your mind may result in a restless night, so give your mind a break. Immerse yourself in a book or listen to soothing music and treat your eyes and ears to some calming entertainment.

Avoid daytime naps. If you do have to nap during the day, limit it to no longer than 15 minutes. Napping any longer than this, though it might make you feel better initially, isn't a substitute for the prolonged, peaceful sleep that can only happen at night.

Avoid looking at a bright screen before bed. The blue'ish light produced from a screen convinces the brain it's still daytime, therefore, it stops you getting a good night's sleep.

Have a bedtime routine. Whether it's a cup of hot milk or a relaxing bath, taking time out of your evening to prepare for bed will encourage your body to shut off for the night.

Go to bed well before midnight. Remember that better quality sleep occurs in the hours before midnight, so it's better to go to bed at 10 and sleep to six, than to go to bed at 11 and sleep to seven, even though it is the same amount of time overall.