Last night, my husband turned over to me and said "go to sleep," as I was silently scrolling through social media. How did he know I wasn’t asleep when his eyes were closed? Apparently, he could tell because he couldn’t "hear me snoring."

This was a joke, but I do tend to snore if I am really exhausted, and sleep deprivation is among the reasons why people snore. According to Healthline, other possible conditions include sleeping on your back, drinking too much alcohol, obstructive sleep apnea (blocked airways), obesity, or a problem with the structure of your mouth, nose, or throat. It’s a condition that many people have experienced, with the publication noting that half of all American adults snore, but it’s also something that can be easily prevented.

A lifestyle change can decrease the chances of snoring, and maintaining a healthy weight is important for many reasons, including the prevention of snoring. The NHS notes that in individuals who are even slightly overweight, the fatty tissue that surrounds the neck "squeezes the airway and prevents air flowing in and out freely.”

It is also helpful to change sleeping positions, and instead of lying flat on your back, you can try sleeping on the side (so as not to block the airways). Also, don’t go to bed when you are overtired.

Drinking alcohol before bedtime can increase the chances of snoring, and doctor Sudhansu Chokroverty, program director for Clinical Neurophysiology and Sleep Medicine at JFK Medical Center, told WebMD: "Drinking alcohol four to five hours before sleeping makes snoring worse. People who don't normally snore will snore after drinking alcohol." And be sure to drink plenty of fluids, as WebMD notes that the secretions in your nose become stickier when you are dehydrated, resulting in a greater chance of snoring.

Sometimes, an individual will snore if their nose is blocked, this could be caused by an allergy, which reduces airflow through the nose. Often, over-the-counter medication or nasal sprays can help improve the condition which is affecting breathing. That said, it is important to check with your doctor before self-diagnosing, and doctor Sudhansu Chokroverty told WebMD: "Many stop-snoring aids are marketed without scientific studies to support their claims."

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