How does sleep affect your stress level and vice versa? What are some good ways to decrease your stress level? You need 7-8 hours of sleep. You will increase the effectiveness of your sleep even more and you will decrease your stress level, if you go to bed at the same time every evening. In this way, It will be easier for you to fall asleep, sleep soundly and deal with stress. Don't use the smartphone before going to bed. Blue light causes sleeping troubles, and in addition to [because of?] this, falling asleep is much more difficult.