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Holidays and sleeping are two words that don't go together. During the holidays, many get by with less sleep just to complete every task. Shopping, entertaining guests, and kitchen duties increase at holiday time. But we all know how important sleep is to our capacity to think clearly and complete tasks efficiently. So, what can you do to ensure getting a great night's rest after a day of preparing for the holidays? Establishing rituals before bedtime can make the difference in having a wonderful night's sleep.

1-Give yourself permission to take shortcuts. That's right, purchase baked goods to take to work, give as gifts, or serve for dinners/parties. Consider gift certificates as gifts. Decisions such as these help you sleep by reducing time spent shopping and obsessing over what to buy or how you will find time to cook/bake. The more free time you have, the more likely you will unwind and be ready to sleep.

2-Allow time to "come down" from your hectic day. An hour or two before bedtime, engage in relaxing pursuits. For many, it's watching television. For others, it's reading. Some may even find handwork, such as knitting or embroidery, relaxing. Whatever your method of taking it easy, do it during that 2 hours before bedtime.

3-About an hour before bed, have a cup of decaffeinated herbal tea or some milk, if you prefer. There's something about a hot drink that tells our body to loosen up. Wrap yourself in a favorite comforter and sip your tea slowly.

4-Avoid high fat, high sugar, and overly rich treats in the evening. During the holidays, this may be particularly difficult but is so necessary to getting good sleep.

5-Limit phone calls an hour or 2 before bed. Turn the cell phone off and make sure you don't chat late into the evening. After all, the goal is to shift into a lower speed, not get all excited or engaged in talking with friends.

6-Reduce noise volume. If the television's on, make sure it's not too loud. If you are listening to music, choose slow or less energetic tunes, not your favorite hip-hop. Think soothing and calming.

7-Consider trying deep breathing or relaxation exercises. The benefits of these 2 activities are well-documented. You will be surprised at how helpful such exercises can be to encourage sleep.

8-Think about how you can make your bedroom a soothing place to be. If the floors, chairs, and chest are all piled high with clothing or gift wrap, it may be difficult to settle down and sleep. Try to keep your bedroom neat and clutter-free. After all, it's just bad feng shui to look at a crowded, hectic mess when you are trying to go to sleep.

9-Make it a goal to get 7-8 hours of sleep nightly. Vow to be in bed for that period of time each night to establish a healthful ritual for your body.

10-Finally, plan ahead to assure completion of holiday-related tasks. Write down what you hope to accomplish. Be realistic about what you can do in a day. This way, your mind isn't cluttered with everything you want to do, plus you will experience fewer anxieties about task completion.

Consider these rituals to help you relax and improve your sleep during the holidays. Pleasant dreams.

Learn more about this author, Rita Chaney.
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