The holidays are one of the busiest times of the year. Staying up late to wrap presents is important, but so is a good night’s sleep. Getting the recommended 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night is crucial for a healthy mind, body, and mouth. In fact, researchers say if you sleep less than 6 hours a night, you could be hurting your oral health.
Lack of sleep can also make you act like Scrooge, so brush off your bah-humbugs with our 5 tips for a sleep-filled season:
1) Go to bed and get up at the same time every day (even on weekends). This helps your body get into a routine, and it will be easier to fall asleep and wake up after you’ve been doing it for a while.
2) Develop a nightly sleep ritual. Wash your face, brush your teeth, and floss in the same order every night. A routine cues your body that bedtime is approaching.
3) Unwind early. You don’t want a manic mind to keep you awake once you get into bed. Keep a notebook on your nightstand to get thoughts out of your mind before turning in.
4) Pay attention to what you eat and drink. Did you eat a heavy dinner late at night? Did you drink hot cocoa before crawling into bed? Feeling stuffed could make you so uncomfortable that you don’t sleep well. Caffeine is a stimulant that will keep you awake, and too much liquid before bed could keep you up all night with trips to the bathroom.
5) Exercise. Regular physical activity promotes better sleep and can help you hit the hay faster. Beware of exercising close to bedtime — it might get you too jazzed up!
Now that you have these handy tips, turn off the lights and sleep your way to a perfect holiday!