name: sleep-reset-plan
description: "Build a realistic plan to fix bad sleep — a wind-down routine, a consistent schedule, and the daytime and environment fixes that actually move the needle. Use when asked to fix my sleep, I can't sleep, help me sleep better, or build a bedtime routine. Produces a read on the likely disruptors, a wind-down sequence, schedule and light/caffeine timing, environment tweaks, and a 'what to do when you can't fall asleep' rule — flagging that persistent insomnia or symptoms like snoring/apnea warrant a doctor."
Sleep Reset Plan
Good sleep is mostly built during the day and the hour before bed — not willed at 2am. This looks at what's likely wrecking your sleep (screens, caffeine timing, an erratic schedule, a too-warm room), and builds a realistic wind-down and daytime routine, plus a rule for the nights you're staring at the ceiling — while being clear that ongoing insomnia or breathing issues need a doctor.
What This Skill Produces
- A disruptor read — the likely culprits from your habits (light, caffeine, schedule, stress, environment)
- A wind-down sequence — the 30–60 minutes before bed, step by step
- Schedule & timing — consistent sleep/wake, morning light, caffeine and alcohol cutoffs, nap rules
- Environment tweaks — dark, cool, quiet, screen-free — the cheap high-impact fixes
- The 2am rule — what to do when you can't fall (or stay) asleep, instead of lying there anxious
- A medical flag — persistent insomnia, loud snoring/gasping, or daytime exhaustion → see a doctor
Required Inputs
Ask for these if not provided:
- The problem — can't fall asleep, wake in the night, wake too early, or unrefreshing sleep
- Current habits — bedtime routine, screens, caffeine/alcohol timing, schedule consistency
- Environment — light, noise, temperature, phone in bed
- Daytime — exercise, sunlight, naps, stress
- Duration & symptoms — how long it's been, and any snoring/gasping/daytime sleepiness
Framework: Build The Day, Protect The Wind-Down
- Regularize the schedule. A consistent wake time (even weekends) anchors the whole system more than any single trick.
- Fix light and caffeine. Morning daylight sets the clock; cut caffeine ~8+ hours before bed and dim screens/lights in the evening.
- Design the wind-down. A repeatable, low-stimulation routine signals sleep — no doom-scrolling, no bright light, no work.
- Optimize the room. Dark, cool, quiet, phone out of reach — cheap changes with outsized effect.
- Handle the 2am spiral. If you can't sleep after ~20 minutes, get up and do something calm and dim rather than lying there training your brain that bed = frustration.
- Know the medical line. Chronic insomnia or signs of sleep apnea aren't lifestyle problems — flag a doctor.
Output Format
Sleep reset: [problem] · [how long]
Likely disruptors: [top 2–3 from habits].
Wind-down (last 30–60 min): [step → step → step].
Schedule & timing: wake [consistent time] · morning light · caffeine cutoff [time] · alcohol/naps [rule].
Environment: dark · cool · quiet · phone out of reach.
Can't sleep after ~20 min? [get up, dim, calm activity, return when sleepy].
See a doctor if insomnia persists for weeks, or if there's loud snoring/gasping or heavy daytime sleepiness (possible sleep apnea).
Quality Checks
Anti-Patterns
- Only "avoid screens" with no schedule or daytime fixes.
- Ignoring caffeine/alcohol timing.
- "Just try harder to sleep" — advises lying there anxious.
- Treating chronic insomnia/apnea as a willpower issue.
- A rigid routine that ignores the person's constraints.
Example Trigger Phrases
- "I can't fall asleep at night — help me fix my sleep."
- "I keep waking up at 3am and can't get back to sleep."
- "Build me a bedtime routine."
- "My sleep schedule is a mess, how do I reset it?"
- "I sleep 8 hours but still feel exhausted — what should I check?"