From Diary to Doctor: How Should I Record and Discuss My Sleep Issues?

A sleep diary is a simple tool for identifying patterns and factors that may be affecting your sleep. By tracking your sleep habits, you can provide your doctor with helpful information about how much and how well you sleep.

Maintain your sleep diary by taking a few minutes each day to answer the questions below. Remember to fill in as much information as you can and try to do this consistently every day.

• What time did you go to bed?
• What time do you think you fell asleep?
• How many times did you wake up during the night?
• What caused you to wake up?
• How long did these awakenings last?
• What time did you wake up in the morning?
• How many hours did you sleep?
• How did you feel upon waking up?
• How did you feel during the day?
• How many alcoholic or caffeinated drinks did you have during the day/night? At what time did you have them?
• Did you consume any nicotine or tobacco products?
• Did you exercise? If so, at what time?
• Did you take any over-the-counter and/or prescription medications? If so, which ones did you take?
• What activities did you engage in before you went to bed (e.g., reading a book, using your phone, or watching television)?

• Take your sleep diary to your appointment so your doctor has a detailed record of your sleep patterns.
• Be ready to discuss your medical history, including any current medications.
• Prepare a list of questions and concerns you want to address.

Your doctor will review your history and symptoms and then talk to you about next steps.

Remember, your well-being is important, and good sleep is a crucial part of that. If your sleep diary reveals persistent problems, don’t hesitate to get professional help. For more guidance on preparing for a conversation with your doctor, go to the Talking to Your Doctor page and take the Self-Assessment.