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The best gift you can give to yourself, at any time and, especially at Christmas time, is sleep. At this time of year your brain is running on overtime with shopping, cooking and other preparations for guests, trying to remember and to do everything that needs doing and overwrought from frenzied "busy ness". This all means that when it is time to go to sleep it is sometimes difficult to switch off, although physically you are tired out.

Sleep is vitally important for health and well-being. A lack of sleep leads to irritability, anxiety and absentmindedness in the short-term, and depression, digestive troubles, memory difficulties, metabolic problems, stress and other health problems, both mental and physical, in the long term.

There are many ways to help mind and body prepare for sleep to ensure that one has a refreshing and peaceful night's sleep and wakes ready for the next busy day.

A warm bath before bed using some scented bath oil, or a few drops of lavender oil can relax both mind and body. Wise women knew centuries ago that Lavender has relaxing properties and aids restful sleep. Other essential oils can be used either in the bath or in candles or burners to help you relax. Try sprinkling a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow too, or consider a hop pillow, both can assist you to get a good night's sleep.

Try to ensure that the half hour or so before you go to bed is a relaxing time. Do not spend that time going over lists of things that still need to be done or frantically wrapping Christmas presents; you will do it all much better and more quickly in the morning when you are refreshed. Use that half hour for quiet activities, read a book or magazine or listen to gentle music. You deserve and need a few minutes to yourself.

Too much tea and coffee can keep one awake so restrict caffeine intake in the hours before bedtime. Your mother was right; a hot milky drink can aid restful sleep; milk contains an amino acid that releases serotonin, which helps the body relax, warming the milk increases that effect. Hot chocolate or other nightime drink is also very comforting after a long and busy day.

Do not watch television in bed, television stimulates the optic nerve and excites the brain, which can make getting to sleep difficult. Your bedroom should be well ventilated and warm enough but not over heated. Reading in bed is fine if it relaxes you, but the book should not be one that you cannot put down and restrict your reading time to fifteen or twenty minutes.

These are just a few tips to enable you to get the sleep that you need in order to cope with all your Christmas preparations and ensure that you will have a wonderful time celebrating with family and friends.

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