An inmate sleeps in his cubicle in the geriatric unit of the Estelle Prison in Huntsville.
An inmate sleeps in his cubicle in the geriatric unit of the Estelle Prison in Huntsville. Caleb Bryant Miller for The Texas Tribune

Genes play a role in how much sleep people need, but good habits can override a tendency to get too little sleep, which can trigger a cascade of health problems. A good nightโ€™s sleep can be influenced by adjusting exposure to light and avoiding caffeine and exercise late in the day. (The Dallas Morning News)

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Christine Ayala was a Texas Tribune fellow, focusing on reporting and newsletter production, in 2014 and 2015. Before joining the Tribune, Christine interned for the Austin American-Statesman features...