The hormone melatonin is central to sleep. The body produces melatonin naturally throughout the day in correspondence to the 24-hour day-night cycle, peaking in the evening when it’s time to go to bed and reaching their lowest levels in the morning. Heightened levels of melatonin in the bloodstream increase feelings of sleepiness; thus, some people may take melatonin supplements to induce sleep. However, early morning light exposure, regular exercise, and a diet rich in fruits and vegetables can also help the body regulate its melatonin cycle and induce sleep at an ideal time.