You may be able to tune into a better night's sleep with a bit of music.

Depending on the type, music can be stimulating or sedating. In a study of people between the ages of 60 and 83, soft tunes at bedtime helped the study participants relax into better slumber. Also, the participants logged more hours of snooze time and functioned better the next day when they had soothing tunes playing in the background at bedtime.

You may be able to get a better night's rest by practicing good sleep hygiene habits. This includes going to bed at the same time every night (including on the weekends); avoiding caffeine and other stimulants in the evening; creating a cool, dark, and quiet environment that's conducive to sleep; and establishing a nightly routine that helps you wind down and prepare for bed. In a recent study of people aged 60 to 83, the study participants listened to 45 minutes of soothing music on tape every night at bedtime. Overall, listening to the tapes improved sleep quality, helped people sleep longer, decreased the incidence of sleep disturbances, and helped people function better during the day.

RealAge Benefit: Getting 6 to 8 hours of sleep per night can make your RealAge as much as 3 years younger.

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