Where was this party that we missed last night?! Based on the hours of sleep most Americans are getting, we have to assume, there’s been major parties going on nearly every night.

And as much as we hate to miss a good party, sleep is a very important part of the formula when it comes to feeling energized all day long. So if you weren’t at the party of your lifetime and you just happened to be home, falling short of your sleep and not getting the zzz’s that you need, it’s time to rethink your sleeping plan.

While you are sleeping, your body restores the energy used during the day and repairs stresses and strains your body experienced. Sleep helps your body maintain both physical and mental health. Artificial energy doesn’t compare to the feeling of a good night’s sleep. Check out a few of our tips to make sure you’re sleeping right:

• Shut off the TV in your bedroom. It’s really helpful when it comes to getting a good night’s sleep. It will help you to get your needed 7-8 hours of sleep a night.
• Don’t oversleep. Although you may think that sleeping an extra three or four hours one night will help make up for lost sleep previous nights, the extra sleep may actually have the opposite effect, resulting in a lack of energy. L- should we keep this one, some times you just need that sleep to feel human
• Try to go to sleep and wake up at the same time each day. This allows your body to create a cycle that it can follow day in and day out, which will make it easier to fall asleep at night and to wake up in the morning without an annoying alarm.
• Don’t drink too much alcohol before going to sleep. Although you may feel like the alcohol helps you fall asleep, it can actually decrease the quality of the sleep you are getting. If you’re having a drink with dinner or after, make sure to drink in moderation.
• If you’re feeling extra sluggish, take a quick nap. But remember – the emphasis here is on QUICK. Aim for 30-40 minutes. You’ll wake up refreshed but still be able to fall asleep at night.

Do you get a good night’s sleep most of the time? What are your tips and tricks? Are there any of these sleeping rules you have trouble following?