Do you know how important sleep is? Sleep is actually fundamental to your energy, your happiness, your sexuality, and your resistance to life-threatening illnesses like diabetes and heart disease. If you're looking to live a long and healthy life, sleep might just be the single most important ingredient of all.

However, in the US, a whopping 79% of Americans sleep less than eight hours per night. And this modern “epidemic” of sleep deprivation isn't just an American problem - it’s a global issue, especially prevalent in first-world countries. In the UK, 70% of the population sleep less than eight hours a night. In Japan, that number goes as high as 90%.

Truthfully, sleep has an image problem. We associate people who are getting sufficient sleep with being lazy. It's surprising in some ways, because nobody looks at an infant sleeping during the day and says, "What a lazy baby!" That's because we know that sleep at that time of life is fundamentally, non-negotiably essential. As adults, we seem to forget this truth.

When people regularly sleep for less than six hours a night, they become more vulnerable to a whole host of serious health problems.

1. Figure out if you are getting enough sleep. Ask yourself these questions: If my alarm didn’t go off, would I sleep past it? Am I oversleeping on the weekends? If you said “yes” to either of these questions, you probably aren’t getting enough sleep.

2. If you feel like your sleep deprivation is getting in the way of your life, consult your doctor. They are able to refer you to a sleep clinic, which can help you determine if you have a sleep disorder. Sleep Apnea - a condition which interrupts your breathing while you sleep - is a common sleeping disorder that requires medical attention.

3. Go to bed at the same time every night. Your body craves routine, and a regular sleep schedule will help.

4. Give yourself enough time to fall asleep. It takes time to settle in and actually fall asleep, so make sure you factor that in when you’re trying to determine your bedtime.

5. Aim for quality sleep. Try not to go to bed right after dinner. Make sure you’re in a cool, comfortable environment. Limit caffeine and sugary drinks in the afternoon.

6. Put down your electronics. The blue LED light in electronics will trick your brain into thinking it’s still daytime, so it’ll be harder to fall asleep.

These steps may seem simple, but I guarantee they will revolutionize your sleep habits. Commit to better sleep tonight, and see how much better you feel.