A national study titled “Sleepless in America” conducted by SleepBetter.org found that 75 percent of Americans don’t believe they are getting enough sleep. The study also found that about one half (51 percent) of adults said they were not familiar with how to improve their sleep, and nearly one half (48 percent) were still searching for the perfect pillow. Couple those concerns with the excitement of the holidays, and getting a good night’s rest can become even more difficult.

Quality sleep – like diet and exercise – is vital to the proper functioning of healthy bodies and minds. SleepBetter.org offered the following tips to remind consumers that the best way to enjoy holiday festivities is to get plenty of quality sleep:

1. Say no to second helpings. Overindulging during this time of year will not only affect the waistline, but also impact good rest. Avoid heavy meals before bedtime, as a full stomach can make it more difficult to fall asleep.

2. Limit the eggnog. Alcohol may help the initial onset of sleep, but as the body clears it from the system, it can cause symptoms that disturb sleep, like nightmares, sweats and headaches. Limit intake of alcoholic beverages and drink one glass of water for every alcoholic beverage consumed to reduce these symptoms.

3. Relax before bedtime. Holiday stress and excitement can wreak havoc on sleep. To combat sleepless nights, develop a pre-sleep ritual to break the connection between the day’s excitement and bedtime.