It’s not always easy to stick to your sleep routine during the holiday season!
When you’re shopping for that perfect gift, rushing from one party to another, attending multiple family gatherings, your regular sleep routine is likely to go out the door! Then there’s the likelihood of travelling for the holidays and having to deal with jet lag as well! As a result, it can be extremely difficult to maintain a healthy sleep routine during the holiday season
No wonder Christmas time is considered the most stressful time of year!
How To Maintain A Healthy Sleep Routine During The Holiday Season
Implement the following tips on how to maintain a healthy sleep routine during the holiday season and your holiday season will be much more relaxed!
Issues You May Have to Deal With
Late Nights
Late nights can cause an elevation in the stress hormones Cortisol and Adrenaline, ensure that you take the time to wind down before trying to sleep. Celebrating and connecting with your friends and family can be an effective way to de-stress. Keep the conversations light and fun if possible, less stress will help make for a better night’s sleep.
Travelling (Time Zone Changes etc)
Are you planning to travel to a different time zone for the Holiday Season? Starting a few days before try to move your sleep schedule to the time zone you will be travelling to. A little research will make all the difference.
Stress and Excitement
The holiday season is all about parties, nights out, socialising, travel and the anticipation of gifts. It can also be the season for highly stressful family situations. All of these things combined can count toward sleepless nights. The exchanging of gifts and catching up at holiday parties (with the right people) can actually reduce your stress levels allowing you to rest easier at night.
“What if Christmas, doesn’t come from a store. What if Christmas…perhaps…means a little bit more!” – Dr Seuss, How The Grinch Stole Christmas
Too Much Good Food
It’s common to eat large, heavy means during the holidays and that could lead to tummy troubles followed by a sleepless night. Where possible, enjoy smaller portions of rich foods that you may not normally consume. Limit sugary drinks, caffeine and alcohol (especially in the last two hours before bedtime) as this may keep you awake at night.
Keep a Regular Sleep Schedule
A major highlight of the season and celebrating the end of a year is staying up late, partying and socialising with friends and family. Sadly, these little changes can be enough to throw out your sleep schedule. You may not be able to avoid late nights but sometimes leaving early from a gathering will be an immense help. If not, then take the time to get back into your sleep routine before having to return to work. You don’t want to start the New Year exhausted!
Continue Your Exercise Routine
Ok, so maybe you won’t find time to make it to the gym, but a daily walk will at least be a start to reducing your stress hormones. Avoid anything too strenuous in the lead up to bedtime.
“The holiday season is a time for storytelling, and whether you are hearing the story of a candelabra staying lit for more than a week, or a baby born in a barn without proper medical supervision, these stories often feature miracles. Miracles are like pimples, because once you start looking for them, you find more than you ever dreamed you’d see, and this holiday story features any number of miracles, depending on your point of view.” – Lemony Snicket, The Lump Of Coal
Irregular sleep schedules are a major culprit when looking at holiday sleep issues. Good planning and being flexible will help you get through it. Enjoy the holiday season, follow these tips and you will still be able to enjoy a restful night’s sleep!
