Sleep During the Holidays (Without Losing Your Mind)
If your sleep feels off during the holidays, youโre not brokenโyouโre human. Later nights. More social stimulation. More food and alcohol. More stress. Less routine. All of that disrupts your circadian rhythm and keeps cortisol higher than usual. Even if youโre โin bed,โ your nervous system may still be on alert. Hereโs the reframe most people need: ๐ This season isnโt about perfect sleep. Itโs about protecting your nervous system. A few ways to do that without becoming rigid: โข Anchor your wake-up time as best you can โข Keep one consistent wind-down cue (dim lights, music, tea, breathing) โข Eat earlier when possible; go lighter when dinners run late โข Be strategic with alcoholโearlier is better than later โข Get daylight every morning, even for 5โ10 minutes โข Lower the bar on productivityโrecovery counts as work right now Short-term sleep loss affects mood, cravings, patience, and motivation. Many people enter January exhausted and blame themselves for โfalling off.โ In reality, theyโre just under-recovered. You donโt need control this season.You need compassion, consistency where you can, and recovery where you canโt. *Question for the group: Whatโs the hardest thing about protecting your sleep during the holidaysโschedule, stress, food, travel, or expectations?