1. Prioritize
The most helpful way to achieve more sleep during the holidays is to mitigate your stress. It’s important to thoroughly plan out your holiday activities and leave time available for the people who matter the most. Having fun with friends and family can be a great stress reliever, especially when you’re exchanging gifts and sharing stories; however, family obligations can be one of the greatest stress inducers during the holiday season. Work hard to minimize negative interactions--the stress of combative social interactions can add on to the holiday tension you’re already experiencing, leading to restless nights.
2. Don't Put Things Off
The holidays are a busy time of year, so don’t procrastinate. Shopping, decorating, wrapping, cooking, cleaning--all the prep work that’s involved to host a holiday celebration is more than enough to keep you up at night. Putting all these things off until the last minute can take a big toll on your stress and your sleep. Make that list, check it twice, and start knocking out your to-do list early. This also saves you the hassle of fighting the crowds and traffic so you can enjoy the fruits of your labor that much more.
3. Try Saying No
There are a lot of festivities to take part in during the holiday season--anything from bake sales, gift exchanges, dinner parties, all fill up the activity list during the holidays. If you find yourself getting caught up in too many events and functions, it can be a tense and pressure-filled situation. Be realistic about the amount of time and energy you will have to attend such events. Sometimes it’s easier to decline an invitation than staying up all night to finish wrapping all the presents.
4. Share a Laugh
They say laughter is the best medicine, and they weren’t kidding. When the stress of the holidays has you feeling unnerved, wrap up in your coziest blanket for a funny movie. You might think a good meal or alcoholic beverage might do the trick, but excessive eating or drinking can actually disrupt your natural sleep patterns during the night, making your slumber less restorative. Gut-busting laughter can reduce your stress to help you relax and unwind before bed.
5. Afternoon Nap
It’s hard to unwind during all the holiday festivities. and no one wants to feel like a party pooper, but too much after-hours fun can wreak havoc on your sleep schedule. If you’re waking up feeling rundown, a good afternoon nap can help bridge the gap when you break away from a consistent sleep schedule. Plan to take your nap early enough in the day to sync with your body’s natural sleep rhythms. If you start your nap too late in the day, you’ll find yourself tossing and turning during the night with pent up energy. A 30-minute power nap is all you need to recharge the batteries, but if you have the time, a deep 90-minute nap will have you feeling like a brand new person.
If you’re trying to catch up on sleep during the holiday season or you’re looking for a new mattress to help you unwind during the holiday festivities, stop by our store today and we’ll help you with all your mattress and sleep needs. We’re here to answer any questions you may have to help you incorporate the perfect bed to sleep all the way through the new year!