The holidays can be a busy and stressful time to say the least. There’s no avoiding it but there are ways to stay energized, collected and most importantly sane in what should be the most wonderful time of the year.
1. Get your Beautyrest!
It’s no surprise that lack of sleep has been linked to increased stress levels and anxiety. Our bodies, skin and brain need restful slumber to recharge in order to be functional the next day. Investing in a quality mattress to ensure a good nights sleep is one of the best things we can do for ourselves. I have the Beautyrest Recharge Hybrid Mattress, which is supportive and helps me sleep soundly. Everyday I look forward to that moment when I can fall into bed, so owning one that’s so inviting and comfortable makes my day (everyday). Bottom line: get your zzz’s!
2. Perfect your nightly routine.
Start with the bathroom must’s – brush your teeth and invest in a good skincare routine (for more on that you can read my post about beauty sleep HERE. Stress has a way of showing up in the form of acne, dark circles and making our skin look dull so having a proper skincare regimen is a must.
Keep all electronics with screens (phones, laptops, tablets…) out of the room for at least an hour before bed since staring at screens can seriously mess up your sleep.
Making a to-do list of everything you need to do the next day before bed can help put your mind at ease so you’re not subconsciously (or consciously) thinking of everything you need to get done. This trick can often help you sleep more soundly since you’re not worrying about remembering everything you need to get done.
From there do whatever nightly routine helps you unwind. Anything from making caffeine-free, herbal tea before bed, spraying your linens with a pillow spray (I’m partial to lavender) or any other pre-sleeping ritual to get you relaxed and ready for bed is great for your routine.
3. Wake up joyously – Alarm clocks can be an unpleasant way to start your day. Instead of setting your alarm to a harsh ring, set it to music. From classical to rock, whatever gets you moving in the morning is the way to go. In the case of my younger siblings, my step-mother would let the dog into their rooms in the AM to have them wake up to dog kisses and a furry cuddler. This always started the day off in a much higher note then her attempting to shake them awake. My boyfriend requires music and coffee, otherwise he’s a complete crank to deal with and feels the effects of an abrupt wakeup for hours to come. However you can find the most stress-free way to wake up or wake up others will set the mood for the entire day.
4. Clean at least 10-20 min/day. It’s easy to let your home get out of sorts between work, social engagements, and the whole holiday shopping/wrapping process. Taking a little time every day to clean up your space and stay organized goes a long way towards mental health,; so does making your bed, especially before going on a trip. Holiday travel can be stressful, so to come home to a clean house (or at the very least an inviting bedroom) feels so good.
5. Take care of yourself – Start juicing and stay hydrated (water, water, water!). Don’t skip any meals, especially breakfast since it jump starts the day. If that’s impossible make sure you have almonds or granola bars on you to keep your energy up. If a yoga, meditation or another form of exercise helps keep you centered make sure you’re making time for it to de-stress.
Remember the holidays are all about comfort and joy so don’t forget it. Happy holidays!
Thank you BeautyRest for Partnering with me on this post by providing a mattress to review!