It’s that time of year again. Decorations are up, the house is filled with guests, and your to-do list is growing… fast. You find yourself up until the wee hours of the morning watching Christmas Vacation, teaching dreidel to your little cousin, or online shopping for that perfect gift for grandma. The holiday cheer is contagious, but this time of year can also leave you run down, stressed, and exhausted. That’s why we’ve compiled our top tips to help you make it through the season well-rested and ready to take on 2019.
Stick to Your Routine
Maybe you drank too much eggnog at that holiday party or you’re simply enjoying time off of work, but sleeping in or staying up late can have adverse effects on your ZZZs. Maintaining a regular schedule is key to achieving quality sleep. If your cycle is thrown off (perhaps from staying up all night making sugar cookies for Santa), you can wake up feeling tired, unmotivated, and moody. It can be tempting to throw caution to the wind, but snapping at your aunt in front of everyone when she asks you while you’re still single is not going to feel great.
Find a Way to Manage Stress - Especially before Bed
The holidays can be extremely stressful. From cleaning to cooking to buying presents to wrapping up that last work project before the New Year, there’s little room left for free time. If you’re anything like us, you’ll probably find yourself wide awake in bed, mulling over the tasks you need to complete tomorrow… and the dent this season has made in your wallet. Find a way to unwind at night - try meditation, writing down your to-do list, or taking a supplement like Som Sleep, which is designed to help calm your mind before bed. And remind yourself that not everything needs to be perfect!
Turn Off the Lights
Sure, your house looks fabulous. But is it worth tossing and turning all night? Your sleep cycle responds to light and dark cues, so you can tell your body it’s time to go to sleep at night by flipping the light switch. Holiday lights are no exception, especially when their light leaks into bedrooms at night. Shut off lights, electronics, and bright decorations before bed. Your neighbors will thank you for that last one, too.
Enjoy the magic of the holidays, but don’t let it throw your sleep cycle out of whack. Follow these tips to help yourself stay well-rested through the season.