Set an early bedtime four times a week and make sure they stick to it.

So, if, over the past fortnight, you typically had six hours' sleep per night, despite an early bedtime, and you need to rise at 7am, set your bedtime at 1am.

We should give the compulsive, stay-up-all-night, spend-the-rent-money types the equivalent of early bedtimes.

Use of blue-blocking goggles the last hours before bedtime has also been advised for people who need to adjust to an earlier bedtime, as melatonin promotes sleepiness.

Failed tactics to sleep at earlier times may include maintaining proper sleep hygiene, relaxation techniques, early bedtimes, hypnosis, alcohol, sleeping pills, dull reading, and home remedies.