Sleep & Health
There is no shortage of fun during the holiday season. It’s all those steps before the fun begins that can wreak havoc on our sleep routines. While the holidays mean quality family time that also comes with hosting guests, gift buying, cooking up a storm, and more. That giant holiday to-do list can create stress on the body, making a good night’s sleep harder to achieve.
Say goodbye to holiday stress! Be Bed Smart this holiday season and follow our tips to “sleep in heavenly peace”:
1. Take it Easy on the Holiday Cheer
It’s the holidays-a time to eat, drink, and be merry. Yes, but don’t get carried away. While a cocktail, or two, certainly induces sleep, it doesn’t provide the quality sleep you need. Consuming alcohol before bed often affects REM sleep, a restorative process during the sleep cycle. Indulge this holiday season, but avoid over-indulgence for the sake of a good night’s sleep!
2. Schedule Time to De-stress
Between never-ending to-do lists and obligatory holiday parties, for some the holiday season becomes a time of stress. Let the holidays be a time of fun, relaxation and most importantly, rejuvenating sleep! Take time before bed to add items to your to-do list, plan your holiday dinner menu, and more. Writing down something that’s on your mind before bed is a great way to avoid insomnia and help put your worries at ease.
3. Get Your Blood Pumping
Get active this holiday season! Whether it’s going for a hike or doing a little yoga, getting your heart rate up is a wonderful way to improve your sleep. Regular exercise can help reduce the levels of stress hormones in the body and create a deeper sleep. Just remember to avoid any intense or strenuous cardio activity three hours before bedtime!
4. The Early Bird Gets the Worm
Although the temptation to stay up late and sleep in longer is strong during the holidays, sticking to a consistent sleep schedule will help your overall energy. When we sleep in late, we fall into a pattern of going to bed late. Before we know it, we’re sleeping our vacation days away. Stay alert and make the most of your holiday by going to bed early and waking up early.
5. Leave the Midnight Snack to Santa
Avoiding late night snacking is always a good rule of thumb during the week, and the same rings true for the holidays. The process of eating creates lower levels of melatonin, a sleep hormone that helps us prepare for sleep. When we indulge in late night eating, the process of digestion and our cycle of melatonin is strongly impacted, for the worst. By eating earlier and avoiding eating after 8 pm, we are allowing our bodies to process its food intake and allow for sleep without disruptions.