The holidays come with a lot of great things: travel, family, friends, food. They also come with late nights, long to-do lists, and disrupted routines. If you’re feeling tired before the season even starts, you’re in good company.
But you don’t have to choose between enjoying the fun and getting decent sleep. With a few smart adjustments and a bedroom setup that keeps your body comfortable, you can make it through the holidays feeling rested instead of wiped.
Here’s how to protect your sleep when life gets busier than usual.
Keep a Simple, Repeatable Sleep Rhythm
You don’t need a perfect bedtime. You just need enough consistency for your internal clock to recognize what’s happening. Anchor your day with:
- A wake-up time that stays within the same hour
- A small wind-down routine (dim lights, warm shower, light reading)
- A predictable caffeine cutoff
Think of these as “sleep cues” that keep your system steady even when your schedule isn’t.
Traveling? Build Comfort Into the Chaos
New beds, unfamiliar sounds, different time zones… travel is brutal on sleep. A few small habits go a long way:
- Pack a sleep mask and earplugs
- Bring a familiar scent or pillowcase
- Keep your evening routine, even if it’s shorter than usual
- Shift your schedule slightly before traveling through time zones
And if you’re staying with family, set boundaries around rest. It’s okay to say you need 20 minutes of quiet before bed.
Work With Holiday Meals, Not Against Them
Rich foods and festive drinks are part of the season. Instead of avoiding them, balance them:
- Eat larger meals earlier when you can
- Drink water between cocktails
- Go for a short walk after dinner
- Dim the lights at least an hour before bed to help your brain switch gears
This keeps your body from working overtime right when you’re trying to sleep.
Handle Stress Before Bed, Not During It
Holiday stress hits fast: travel plans, hosting, shopping, social pressure. Give your nervous system a chance to slow down before you get under the covers.
Try a quick reset:
- Ten slow breaths
- A warm shower
- Listing tomorrow’s to-dos to clear your head
- Gentle stretching
You don’t need a long ritual. You just need a moment of calm before the lights go out.
Make Your Sleep Environment Do the Heavy Lifting
Your bedroom should help your body relax, not fight against it. Focus on comfort, air quality, and temperature.
- Choose breathable bedding, especially natural fibers
- Keep the room cool (60–67°F is ideal)
- Cut out excess light from windows, screens, and décor
- Avoid heavy fragrances if you’re sensitive
If your mattress traps heat or contains synthetic materials that irritate your skin or airways, sleep gets harder. Mattresses made with organic cotton and natural latex tend to regulate temperature better and create a cleaner, more comfortable sleep surface. It’s a simple upgrade that pays off year-round.
Keep your routine simple, manage stress before bed, and create a bedroom setup that keeps your body cool, comfortable, and calm. With the right sleep environment and a few smart habits, you can enjoy the holidays and still wake up feeling rested.
