10 Tips to Sleep Well During the Crazy Holiday Season
The holiday season is arguably the busiest time of the year and may cause too much stress. What causes holiday stress during the “most wonderful time of the year,” you ask? Well, stress can come from many reasons such as companies rushing to make sales, people planning their party, and even shopping for gifts.
If these are happening to you at the same time and you’re getting too stressed out, chances are you’re becoming too busy to sleep. Luckily, there are several ways to help you manage holiday stress and catch up on quality sleep. Read on. You’ll thank us later.
Update your calendar regularly
[caption id="attachment_111036" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
One of the best holiday stress relief tips we can give is to update your calendar regularly. Plot upcoming events, deadlines, bill payments, shopping days, trips, and set deadlines for your tasks-- this will help you keep track of the things you need to do.
With proper time management, you will be able to schedule things properly and avoid stressing yourself out unnecessarily. It can also relieve you of things you might be thinking about and help you relax before bedtime.
Beat the holiday rush
[caption id="attachment_111037" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
The holiday rush usually starts as soon as December rolls in. This means people are out shopping for gifts or busy catching up with friends and relatives. You can expect traffic to be heavier than usual, the mallspacked, and the lines--whether in counters or your daily commute--long.
This could give you a boatload of stress and tire you out if you don’t beat it. Good thing you can do so by finishing all of your shopping, decorating, and other holiday tasks as early as possible so that you can lie down on your bed early at night.
Make a to-do list
[caption id="attachment_111040" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
This is similar to your calendar, but on a macro scale. In the morning, list the things that you need to do throughout the day. It can be tasks like going to the grocery, paying the bills, preparing meals, calling a person, or doing your Christmas shopping. Update it as the day goes by and cross out tasks that have been completed.
This will give you the feeling of accomplishment as you finish each task and help you stay organized. In addition, you don’t have to keep thinking of what to do next, which could help ease your mind and relax before you sleep.
Hit the gym
[caption id="attachment_111039" align="alignnone" width="800"]
Whether you go before or after work, a good way to stay healthy and sleep well during the holiday season is by going to the gym. Not only do you reduce your stress levels by working out, you also burn all the calories you gain from all the eating and drinking at the Christmas parties you attend. Going to the gym also makes you happy as it releases endorphins aka the happy chemicals.
Moreover, a good workout will help you get quality sleep as your body recovers from all the movement it has done. Look for the nearest gym to your house or office. Sign up and begin to feel its wonderful benefits for you.
Control your coffee intake
[caption id="attachment_111031" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
If you’re a coffee lover, you might want to look away. Coffee blocks sleep-inducing chemicals in the brain and increases adrenaline production. Take away all that scientific gibberish and you’ll get the message that coffee will keep you awake and alert. Control how much coffee you drink every day. It would be best to drink it as you wake up to start your day or during siesta time to prevent you from falling asleep at work.
As an alternative, you can drink warm milk or hot chocolate when you meet up with your friends after work. If it can’t be helped, make sure you drink decaffeinated coffee so you can still snooze early and get quality sleep.
Watch what you eat
[caption id="attachment_111033" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Did you know that what you eat can keep you awake? Sugary foods such as chocolates and candies can keep you awake due to a swing in hormones and sugar level. Meanwhile, some food can trigger acid reflux as you sleep and wake you up in the middle of the night. It’s highly advised to consume food that’s packed with healthy nutrients like leafy vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds to have optimal sleep.
Go for a walk
[caption id="attachment_111032" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Walking is one of the easiest and most versatile exercises you can do. All you need is a sturdy pair of walking shoes. The best thing about it is that you don’t have to pay any membership or go to a special place to do it. Just go outside of your house and spend 30 minutes or so walking around your neighborhood.
It’s a good way to relieve stress from work or school without having to exert so much effort. Remember to do it three hours before your bedtime. This way, your body has enough time to cool down your body and brain. It’s also a way to enjoy the holiday breeze during November and December.
Take time to meditate
[caption id="attachment_111034" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
After a long day of moving, talking, and being busy, it would be nice to take some time to meditate alone. Light up some candles to set up the mood, play relaxing music, bring out the yoga mat, start taking deep breaths, and clear your mind of the things that stress you out. A clear mind and a relaxed body will help you sleep faster and deeper.
Talk to someone
[caption id="" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
Go out with friends or sit down in the living room with your family and talk. Nothing beats confiding to someone about the blessings you’ve received and the problems you faced during the day. Talking to someone you trust and love will help you release your stress and anxiety, as well as clear your mind for a better sleep. It’s also a good opportunity to catch up with your friends for the holidays. It doesn’t have to be a grand Christmas party all the time. A simple catch up session in a coffee shop will surely help!
Hit the hay early
[caption id="attachment_111038" align="aligncenter" width="800"]
If you do any of the things mentioned above, chances are you’ll be able to lie on your bed and sleep early. Don’t use the extra time you have to stay up late and waste your time on things that can be done earlier.
Also, sleeping on a good mattress such as the ones in the Uratex Orthocare collection will help you have a restful sleep as it supports your back better. There are more Uratex Premium mattresses that you can choose from this Christmas to help you have quality sleep, despite the holiday craze.