Arianna Huffington describes the 4-step nighttime routine she follows every day

Nine years ago, a sleep-deprived Arianna Huffington was so exhausted that she collapsed in her office and broke her cheekbone .

The experience led Huffington, the president and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post Media Group, to completely change her own habits and advocate for others to do the same.

In her new book, "The Sleep Revolution," she argues that getting enough sleep — about seven to nine hours a night — helps you lead a more productive life.

"Once we get all the sleep we need, everything else is better," Huffington told CNBC in a recent interview. "We are better at our jobs, at building a business. Our health is better. Our happiness is better."

So what does Huffington do to ensure a good night's rest? She shared the four-step nighttime routine that she follows every day:

"Learning to disconnect in time to wind down is absolutely key," said Huffington. That's why her nighttime ritual starts with powering down. That means no phones, no tablets, no TV.

"It's my ritual to wash away the day," she said. "If you don't like baths, you can have a shower."

What happens after the bath is just as important, according to the executive. She said that what you wear to bed can help or hinder the quality of your sleep, so she dresses for the occasion. "I used to sleep in my gym clothes, and the brain gets a confusing message: 'Are we going to the gym, or are we going to sleep?'"

Huffington's last step is reading a book before bed — and only physical ones. "No screens," she said. "And [only] books that have nothing to do with work: novels, poetry, anything."

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