Not exactly in the mood to spread holiday cheer this year? You’re not alone. According to a survey by the American Psychological Association, 38% of people said their stress levels increase during the holidays. Throw COVID in the mix, and you can see why many aren’t feeling that jolly this season.
But it doesn’t have to be all bah humbug. There are plenty of ways to help you get in the holiday spirit. Follow these simple steps to cope with the stress and get better sleep this holiday season.
Stick To Your Normal Schedule
Even if your holiday season is more socially distant than usual, your schedule can still fill up. You may find yourself staying up later or getting up earlier, especially if you have kids. As a result, you won’t get the rest you need. Therefore, you should try to fall asleep at your usual bedtime and wake up with your regular alarm. Even if that means you get a little less sleep than you like. In this case, consistency is more important than getting eight full hours of sleep on any given night.
Find New Ways To Connect
Staying connected with friends and family is important for your mental health. Even if you can’t be with them in person, there are still ways to spend the holidays with your fam. You can have dinner or open gifts together virtually through video calls. Furthermore, you can do a contactless drop-off of gifts and desserts before your virtual call. You can hold contests like best house decorations or best dessert with your loved ones. There are also plenty of online games you can play with friends and family during the holidays. Whatever you decide, discuss it with your loved ones soon to nail down plans and curb anxiety. Finding creative ways to connect will help you better deal with the stressful feelings of loneliness and isolation.
Turn Your Bedroom Into A Sleep Sanctuary
Make sure your bedroom is as relaxing as possible with all the right accessories and products. Start with a pair of earplugs, a sleep mask, and a white noise machine. In addition, blackout curtains are great for keeping out the glow of Christmas lights. And if your mattress is over eight years old, you may want to invest in a new one. Furthermore, you’ll sleep better if you can avoid working from your bedroom. Above all, make sure your bedroom is reserved for sleeping, relaxing, and being intimate. Anything else can ruin your quality of sleep.
Give Yourself A Break
With all the challenges of this year, it’s important to proactively adjust your mindset. First, you should try to focus on positive thoughts. For instance, you can start each day by listing the things you’re thankful for. Try and accentuate the positive things instead of dwelling on the negative. Second, set aside time to practice relaxation techniques like mindfulness, breathing exercises, or even some yoga positions. Lastly, make sure you still have some leisure time. Whether it’s reading, gaming, or going for a run, do things that bring you joy. All of these are especially important during the holidays and can lead to better sleep.
Healthier Sleep Leads To Happier Holidays
There are a lot of firsts this year. The holidays in general can bring on a lot of stress. With the added challenges of the pandemic, it’s more important than ever to prioritize your health. Start by getting the sleep you need and by finding ways to cope with the stress. If you’re looking for more ways to improve your sleep quality, speak with your local Sit ‘n Sleep today.
While the holidays can present some challenges to your bedtime routine, planning ahead, minimizing stress, and setting some boundaries where needed, can all help ensure that you enjoy the festivities — without sacrificing your precious sleep.
If you are traveling during the holidays, don’t leave your good sleep at home. Alaska Sleep Clinic has all of the travel CPAP devices that are easy to pack and carry, no matter the distance. Check out the choices online or in any of our four labs in Alaska, including Anchorage, Wasilla, Soldotna, and Fairbanks.
