Sleep During the Holidays (Without Losing Your Mind)
If your sleep feels off during the holidays, you’re not broken—you’re 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 you’re “in bed,” your nervous system may still be on alert. Here’s the reframe most people need: 👉 This season isn’t about perfect sleep. It’s about protecting your nervous system. A few ways to do that without becoming rigid: • Anchor your wake-up time as best you can • Keep one consistent wind-down cue (dim lights, music, tea, breathing) • Eat earlier when possible; go lighter when dinners run late • Be strategic with alcohol—earlier is better than later • Get daylight every morning, even for 5–10 minutes • Lower the bar on productivity—recovery counts as work right now Short-term sleep loss affects mood, cravings, patience, and motivation. Many people enter January exhausted and blame themselves for “falling off.” In reality, they’re just under-recovered. You don’t need control this season.You need compassion, consistency where you can, and recovery where you can’t. *Question for the group: What’s the hardest thing about protecting your sleep during the holidays—schedule, stress, food, travel, or expectations?