It's a third of our life, and many of us spend it being absolutely miserable. And sometimes we don't even know we're miserable – until we wake up! The National Institutes of Health have gone on the record stating that over 60 million Americans suffer from sleeping problems. The sad part is, a lot of these sleeping wounds are self-inflicted. Here's a short list of what not to do if you want a good night's sleep for once.

Don't drink before sleeping. There's a notion that, since alcohol makes us drowsy and apt to pass out while sitting on a bar stool or behind the wheel of a car, it should really do a good job at helping us sleep in our bed. Except it doesn't. Oh, it may knock you out, but you are unlikely to awaken feeling refreshed. This is because alcohol disrupts your brain wave patterns, leading to disturbed sleep.

Don't sleep bare-footed. Bare feet are cold feet, and cold feet will keep you awake and prevent you from falling asleep swiftly. The National Sleep Foundation says that wearing some warm socks will cause your your blood vessels to dilate, helping you fall asleep faster.

Don't let your dog share the sheets. This is a tough one for many of us – 40 percent of pet owners have reported that they allow their cat or dog to sleep beside them – but the Mayo Clinic Center for Sleep Medicine says it's a no-no. According to their data, one in five of the folks who share their bed with pets report that the animal interferes with their sleep.

Don't set your alarm clock to wake you up earlier than you need to be, so that you can enjoy hitting the snooze button. We've all done this, but stop and think for a moment: It's crazy! When have you ever had post-snooze-button sleep that was as restful and deep as what you had before the alarm went off?

Don't sleep on dirty sheets. If you go a month between sheet washings, your bedclothes are accruing more than 11 million bacteria per square inch, including ones that can cause pneumonia and food-borne illness, according to a study by Amerisleep.

Don't use the wrong pillow. There is an art and science to picking the correct pillow for your sleeping style, but the basic rule of thumb is this: Side sleepers need a firm or extra-firm pillow that gives more support to their head and neck, but those who sleep primarily on their back or stomach require a thinner, softer one.

Don't sleep in a warm room. When you begin to sleep, your body temperature starts to drop. By keeping the temperature of your bedroom cool (between 60 and 67 degrees Fahrenheit), you can actually facilitate your body dropping off to sleep.