Not exactly in the mood to spread holiday cheer this year Youre 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 arent feeling that jolly this season
But it doesnt 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 wont 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 cant 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 youll 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 its 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 youre 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 its 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 its 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 youre 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 dont 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
