Insufficient sleep is enough to turn anyone into a Grinch, but during the chaos of the holidays, many people find themselves more exhausted than ever. This holiday season, make sure that getting a good night's sleep remains a top priority. Think of it as your special little gift to yourself.
Here are some helpful holiday sleep tips that'll keep you merry and bright:
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Don't go too crazy with the food and alcohol. Okay, this is a really tough one, but hear us out! Foods and drinks that are high in sugar, caffeine or alcohol may end up keeping you awake well into the night. We're not asking you to avoid sweets and spiked eggnog entirely – we aren't monsters, after all! – but it's a good idea to keep any late-night snacking and drinking to minimum so you can give your body a few hours to digest before you go to bed.
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Stick to your usual sleep schedule. The holidays are a busy time for everyone. You start wrapping all those presents and before you know it you look at the clock and it's 1 a.m. We know there's a lot to squeeze in with the holidays right around the corner, but do your best to maintain a consistent sleep-wake cycle. Going to bed and waking up at the same time every day keeps your body's internal clock regulated and helps you sleep more soundly throughout the night.
- Turn your Christmas lights off at bedtime. There's nothing like a plethora of bright, twinkling lights to get in the way of a good night's sleep. Our brains tend to associate light with daytime, which can interfere with the body's ability to fall asleep. Keep your home as bright and festive as your heart desires – just power everything down before you hit the hay.
It's also important to note that if you have any other sleep disorder, you'll want to remain compliant with any and all treatments during the holidays. This can be difficult when you're traveling all over the place, but it's important for your overall well-being.
