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Do you dread the thought of falling asleep on Christmas Eve? Well, you’re not alone. Many people struggle to fall asleep on this special night.
Christmas is a time when friends and families come together and have a blast. People are rushing around trying to get everything done before the big day.
However, this excitement is not limited to adults. Kids are excited as well. The noise of the party, the excitement of waiting to open presents, and the anticipation of Santa’s arrival can sometimes turn into uncontrollable energy that can make it difficult for them to fall asleep.
There are many reasons why you can’t sleep. Whatever the reason, here are some proven ways to fall asleep on Christmas eve.
Adults
Start your day early
On the morning of Christmas, wake up a little early and indulge in some physical activities or exercises. Go for a walk or a morning run. The idea is to tire yourself out by the time you hit the bed.
Make it a busy day
Keep yourself busy cooking, doing daily chores, last-minute shopping, or helping out family, friends, or kids. It is a day to bond with loved ones and drain your energy into things that bring joy.
Stick to a regular bedtime routine
When you go to bed at the same time every night, you are following the body’s internal clock. As a result, it makes it easier to fall asleep at night.
On this Christmas eve, follow your bedtime routine and you won’t have a hard time falling asleep. Even if you don’t feel like sleeping, make sure you lie in bed at the scheduled time.
Set up a relaxing bedroom environment
Creating the perfect sleeping environment is essential for good sleep. Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool before you go to sleep. Studies have shown that a slightly cooler (not cold) temperature of around 65°F or 18.3°C helps in better sleep.
Avoid caffeine
The consumption of caffeine, alcohol, and large meals before bedtime interferes with your ability to fall asleep. It may be hard, but try to put as much time between drinking alcohol/coffee and going to sleep.
Screen time
Watching a Christmas movie or scrolling through social media on the phone before bedtime can screw up melatonin levels. The hormone plays an important role in maintaining the sleep cycle. The screens of electronic devices emit blue light which hinders the production of melatonin, making it harder to sleep.
Try relaxation techniques
Relaxing your body and mind before bed should be a regular habit. There are many ways you can do to relax. You can calm your mind and body before sleep by practicing deep breathing, meditation, or taking a warm bath. Listening to soft music also helps you relax and improve your mood.
Lighting
Lighting has an important effect on our mood and body. The warm light induces the production of melatonin. Melatonin is a hormone that helps you in falling asleep. As soon as the sun sets, switch to warm lighting in the house. Switch off all white lights.
Avoid any direct bright lights in the eyes. The warm light in the rooms mimics the sun’s natural light-dark cycle, which helps support the body’s circadian rhythm.
Warm turmeric milk or chamomile tea.
Turmeric and chamomile are natural ingredients that induce sleep. Having warm turmeric milk or chamomile tea can help you fall asleep. Turmeric has curcumin which has anti-inflammatory and sedative properties. calms the mind and you fall asleep easily.
Additionally, milk contains an amino acid called tryptophan, which helps the body to produce serotonin. Serotonin is a neurotransmitter that promotes sleep by reducing the activity of certain neurons in the brain.
Chamomile tea has a compound called apigenin that helps in reducing anxiety and induces sleep.
Sex
For couples, sex can serve a dual purpose on Christmas night. It’s the perfect way to end Christmas with physical and emotional connections. A hormone called oxytocin is released during sex, which relaxes your body and mind. It also relieves stress and anxiety, making you fall asleep faster. Sex increases your heart rate and blood flow, so you feel tired and eventually sleepy.
Kids
Kids are a bundle of energy and Christmas eve can heighten their energy levels even further. They are mentally overstimulated and that hinders their sleep. Kids awake at night may make it hard for parents to sleep.
Here are a few tips for relaxing and getting kids to sleep this Christmas.
Plan their schedule
Planning a kid’s day always makes your life easier as a parent. Plan out all the activities you would like to engage them with. Pick activities that tire them out or involve physical activity. But make sure you don’t compromise on the fun element. When kids are having fun, both their minds and bodies will be busy, and eventually, they will become tired.
Avoid sugary foods and drinks
High sugar consumption can make kids hyperactive. It can be tough to control throughout Christmas day. But avoid giving your child sugary or caffeine-containing foods and drinks a few hours before bedtime. These can keep their energy levels high and interfere with their ability to fall asleep.
Stick to a kid’s bedtime routine
It is festival time and we do break some daily habits. However, keeping your child’s bedtime routine can go a long way. Let the night unfold the usual way and on time like brushing their teeth, changing into their pajamas, and dimming the lights. This can help signal to their body that it’s time to sleep.
Create a comfortable sleep environment
The temperature in your child’s room and the bed should be comfortable for them. White noise machines or earplugs can be used to block out any noise that could disrupt their sleep.
Avoid screens before bed
The blue light emitted by electronic screens can interfere with your child’s natural sleep-wake cycle, so avoid using their phone, laptop, or TV in the hours leading up to bedtime. If you must use a screen, consider using a blue light filter to minimize its effects.
Try relaxation techniques.
Waiting for Santa is not easy for many kids. Relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or progressive muscle relaxation can help your child feel calm and relaxed.
Storytelling
Storytelling or book reading is an excellent way to calm down and get them into sleep mode. It is also a unique way to bond with your children. Tell them Christmas stories or stories of how you celebrated Christmas.
Santa and Gifts
Kids love gifts from Santa. The kids can’t wait for Santa to come and when they’ll open presents. All this is exhilarating that makes it hard for them to sleep. Pre-plan with your children and decide on what time they will be opening the presents.
Remember that it’s normal to be a little excited or anxious on Christmas Eve, but try to focus on relaxing and letting go of any stress or worries. With a little preparation and effort, you should be able to fall asleep and get a good night’s rest.
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