Christmas is the time of year when we do everything to excess - except sleep. It can feel as if there aren't enough hours in the day for all the shopping, eating, drinking, and socializing, let alone eight hours of slumber. 'What we experience at this time of year impacts on our night-time sleep in the same way that our nighttime sleep impacts on our outlook on the day,' says Dr Kat Lederle, author of Sleep Sense*. The good news? You can still have fun while avoiding festive fatigue - here's how.
7am
The best time to exercise so you sleep better at night, according to a study by Appalachian State University, US. Early exercisers slept longer and had more beneficial sleep cycles, compared to those who exercised at 1pm and 7pm.
Snack smart
Feeling peckish? Snack on turkey, milk, walnuts and pumpkin seeds. These are good sources of tryptophan, an amino acid that boosts the hormone melatonin, which can help you to sleep.
Delegate
It’s difficult to sleep well when your mind is a whirl of tasks to do. ‘But Christmas should be a fun time, not something that becomes a huge stressor,’ says clinical hypnotherapist Geraldine Joaquim**. ‘Delegate tasks to others to help share the load. Writing a plan gets things out of your head, so keep a pad and pen by your bedside to unload.’
Switch off
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The benefits of waking up early
I can almost feel my daughters rolling their eyes at the thought of me writing about the joys of waking up early.
'Rylan makes me MILLIONS!
The presenter talks about his love life, professional success and his alter ego
GATSBY
He needed a home, but was Maria barking to even consider taking him in?
My mindset MAKEOVER
After losing 4st, the future is bright for Hazel James
Eat more WEIGH LESS
Feel fuller while losing weight with our exclusive plan from Slimming World
Autumn tricks YOU NEED TO KNOW
Stop cold, dark nights disturbing your sleep with these expert cheats
'HARRY WILL NOT BE BACK'
Reports of Prince Harry wanting to return to the UK and royal duties are, I’m told, ‘completely wrong’.
'I'M HONOURED to still be part of Strictly'
Strictly Come Dancing judge Anton Du Beke on the hit show and why he'll never retire
Would you keep CANCER A SECRET?
Model Elle Macpherson revealed she kept her battle with the disease hidden - we find out why many others choose to do the same
'Ruth has handled the split WITH DIGNITY'
Coleen Nolan on grief, supporting Ruth Langsford through divorce and moving in with boyfriend Michael Jones