Stay Healthier Over the Holiday Season with Better Sleep

One of the BIGGEST WAYS we sabotage ourselves this time of year when it comes to reaching our goals- sleep

During the holidays there are so many temptations and so many activities competing for our time. 

I’ve got a list of common pitfalls I could talk about, but this post is going to focus on just ONE of them … because it’s not only a biggie all by itself, but it also affects just about everything else.   

OK … so one of the biggest ways you can sabotage your health over the holiday season is to NOT GET ENOUGH SLEEP. 

That’s because being overtired or sleep-deprived sets off a chain reaction in your body that affects almost everything … from your mood and appetite to your metabolism and even your immune system and memory. 

Which is why, as often as possible, it’s important to go to bed early enough so that you can get 7-8 hours of sleep a night … 

… and also why it’s important to set yourself up for sleep success with healthy habits that make it easier to FALL ASLEEP and STAY ASLEEP! 

I’m a big believer in knowing the WHYs of things … and I’ve got a list of 9 things that happen when you don’t get enough sleep. 

1. You might feel angry, depressed, or anxious.
2. Your willpower goes down the drain.
3. It’s harder to focus and learn.
4. You can be more accident-prone.
5. Your hunger hormones can get out of balance (you’ll feel hungrier than normal and have a hard time feeling full).
6. Your sex drive can go down.
7. It can affect your immune system - so it’s harder for your body to fight illness.
8. It can affect your skin’s health.
9. And last but certainly not least, it’s bad for your heart ... and chronic sleep deprivation is linked with serious diseases like cancer and diabetes. 

Pretty wild list, right? 

And that’s not even including anything to do with your workout recovery, which also can be affected by lack of sleep. 

Now, obviously, life happens and sometimes we don’t get as much sleep as we need. 

But being mindful about making time for it – and setting yourself up for a great night of sleep with your regular healthy habits – can go a long way toward getting those 7 to 8 hours. 

PLUS … and this is a biggie! … if you've had a bad night of sleep, it can be super helpful to know how it impacts your body. 

So, if your appetite is out of control … or you are foggy or clumsy … you know WHY it’s happening, which helps you deal with it better. 

I hope this list helps you stay on track over the holidays!