Insufficient Sleep
Sleep experts recommend getting 7 to 8 hours of sleep each night. However, one in three Americans routinely sleep less than 6 hours a night. This number only increases over the holidays. According to Harvard Health, just a single night of poor sleep causes you to feel irritable and unmotivated. It can increase your stress and anxiety levels, as well as make it difficult to exercise and make healthy food choices. There is also evidence to suggest going days without enough sleep makes you more vulnerable to catching the common cold and other viruses.
Getting Enough Sleep Over the Holidays
The best tip for getting enough sleep during the holiday season is to stick to your normal routine as much as possible. Don’t stay up too late and don’t let yourself sleep in more than an hour or two. This will keep your sleep cycle functioning properly and make it easier for you to get at least 7 hours of sleep. You may feel that going to bed earlier will cause you to miss out on family time, but it will actually improve the quality of your family time. Being fully rested will help combat holiday stress, stay healthy and give you the energy you need to take on busy days of festivities. Not only that, but getting enough sleep will keep you aware and alert. This is essential for keeping yourself and your family safe as you travel this holiday season.
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