Christmas Eve can be very stressful for everyone. There's food to be cooked, presents to be wrapped, plenty of things to plan, and oh! The Christmas tree has to be decorated. It's no surprise that many find it difficult to fall asleep when the day comes to an end. If you're finding it difficult to nod off on Christmas Eve, you're not alone.
Here's Why You Can't Sleep on Christmas Eve
In a sleep study by dreams.co.uk, it was revealed that 54% of women and 45% of men stated they found it harder to fall asleep after a day of stressful activities. Unless you are one of a very lucky few, you're most likely running around on Christmas Eve trying to get everything in order before the big day. So yes, Christmas Eve is one of the more stressful days.
Often, the source of your worry is anxiety over making sure Christmas goes smoothly, especially if you're hosting family and friends for the holidays. The stress of entertaining guests can interrupt your sleep routine.
Both positive and negative emotions can lead to stress. Whether you're feeling giddy with excitement or depressed about the amount of stuff to do, you can end up feeling stressed at the end of the day. The following are some of the reasons why Christmas Eve can lead to sleep difficulties:
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Traveling
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Hosting guests
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Anticipating tasks to perform
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Social anxiety
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Exhaustion
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Excitement jitters
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Last minute preparations
Most of the time, the stress you feel is self-imposed because of the pressure to have a good time. It's important to get enough rest on the night before Christmas so you don't miss out on the enjoyment and festivities of the big day. Keep reading to learn how to sleep better on Christmas Eve.
How to Fall Asleep on Christmas Eve
1. Plan Ahead
The best way to keep your day stress-free is to plan ahead. Plan as much as you can before D-Day so that by then you'll be done with everything and you can relax. If you have lots to do, feel free to ask for help so you won't be bogged down with stuff that can be handled by someone else.
Create a list of things you need to do and strike them off the list as you do them. This makes it easier to visualize all you have to do. A sample list can contain things like:
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Making food for family and friends
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Finishing up chores
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Setting up decorations
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Wrapping up presents (and hiding them)
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Delivering presents
2. Avoid Caffeine
Avoiding caffeine is one of the best things you can do for yourself if you want to have a great sleep on Christmas Eve. Caffeine stays active in your body for up to six hours and makes it difficult to fall asleep at night. If you must have coffee on Christmas Eve, go for a warm, caffeine-free herbal tea instead to help calm your nerves.
In addition, caffeine acts as a diuretic, which means you might have to get up at night to ease yourself. Reducing your normal caffeine consumption on Christmas Eve can help you sleep better.
3. Avoid Excess Sugar Before Bedtime
Just as caffeine makes you hyperactive, sugar in your system can work in a similar way. The sugar in your system makes you feel active rather than sleepy. Too much sugar also makes it more likely that you will wake up during the night.
Instead of sugary beverages and foods, try foods containing sleep-inducing amino acids like tryptophan such as milk. So, if you're taking a cookie, take it with a glass of milk and do so a few hours before your bedtime.
4. Drink Warm Milk
We've advised against caffeine and sugary beverages. But if you need something to drink, try warm milk. Milk provides you with nutrients like magnesium, calcium, and L-tryptophan, which is a sleep-inducing amino acid. Warm milk can be a refreshing, soothing, and comforting drink that rocks you right to sleep.
You can add honey to your warm milk, among other things. Just be mindful of the amount of sugar you take or you might offset the effect of the milk. You can also try herbal tea or hot cocoa as they are also soothing drinks that can make it easier for you to fall asleep.
5. Sleep Comfortably
You'll be surprised to know that one of the major reasons for restless sleep is that you're not comfortable enough. Try to make yourself as comfortable as possible. Curl up as tightly as you can and hold the position for 30 seconds, then relax, try to stay still, and repeat.
You will become tired and this will make it easier to fall asleep. Monitor the temperature of your sleeping space and make sure you feel comfortable with it. Most importantly, make sure your mattress is comfortable and relaxing, like the ones on offer at EGO HOME. These steps will ensure that you have a restful sleep.
6. Take a Warm Bath
A warm bath relaxes your muscles, therefore making it easier to fall asleep. Submerge yourself in bubbles or key the warm water flow over your muscles. Massage your sore muscles as you take your bath to help with the relaxation of your muscles.
7. Practice Mindfulness or Meditation
Mindfulness can help you stay on top of things as you prepare for Christmas. During mindfulness, you allow your thoughts to float freely by just observing without judgment. If you're feeling particularly anxious or excited, mindfulness meditation can help you unwind so that you can get a good sleep.
8. Stay Active During the Day
Incorporate physical activity into your day, but try to avoid vigorous exercise close to bedtime. Regular exercise can help regulate your sleep patterns and improve the quality of your sleep.
You don't necessarily have to do squats to relax. You can also jog or take a walk. This is a great idea because it also gives you an opportunity to take in the view on Christmas Eve.
9. Treat it Like a Normal Night
One of the reasons why we find it difficult to fall asleep on Christmas Eve is because of the fact that it's Christmas Eve. Trick your brain into thinking it's just another normal night by following your usual sleep routine. Following the normal procedures of a normal nighttime will prepare your brain psychologically for snoozing mode.
This will work well if you already have a solid sleep routine. Listen to your body and take the time to wind down so that you can get to sleep easily. So, put on your pajamas, grab a warm drink (milk is good), and get on your bed in preparation for sleep.
10. Reduce Your Exposure to Light
When your body is being prepped for sleep, it releases melatonin. Once this hormone gets into your bloodstream, your body becomes less alert and you get ready to sleep. However, if you're trying to sleep in a brightly lit room or if you're staring at your phone's screen on your bed, melatonin production is altered.
So, in preparation for sleep, dim your lights and switch off your smartphone. If you don't want that, use it at the lowest brightness setting or add a special screen protector. Doing these should raise your melatonin level and make you fall asleep easily.
11. Watch the Temperature of the Room
Make sure you are not too cool or too warm. If you're uncomfortable with the temperature, turn the heater or air conditioning on, put on extra blankets or shed the one you have, as the case may be. A comfortable temperature will have you feeling sleepy in no time.
Remember, the key is to create a calm and peaceful atmosphere to help you transition into a restful night's sleep. By implementing these tips, you can increase your chances of enjoying a tranquil Christmas Eve and waking up refreshed on Christmas morning.
Closing Remarks
These tips and advice will help you doze off easily on Christmas Eve. A good night's sleep on an EGO HOME mattress will fill you with all the energy you need for a memorable Christmas. We hope you enjoy your Christmas to the fullest. Sweet dreams!
