If you’re anything like the rest of us, you’re most likely in some serious need of a little rest and relaxation after the fun and chaos of the holidays. Luckily, there’s a day that's dedicated to getting you caught up on shut-eye.
We’re talking about
Festival of Sleep Day, observed on January 3rd each year, and meant to help us remember to focus on self-care and well-being after the whirlwind of the shopping sprees and present opening of Christmas and the overindulging and late-night countdowns of New Year’s Eve.
And while nobody really knows how or when this unofficial holiday got its start, most of us can agree that it’s a great excuse to get some much-needed and well-deserved rest. Not to mention a great way to get your new year off to a great start when it comes to sleep health.
Health experts have found that getting a good night’s sleep (and that means at least seven hours a night, folks!) is one of the best things that we can do to maintain a happy and healthy lifestyle. It helps us to heal our bodies and preserve our thought and memory processing abilities. Sounds pretty good, right?
So let’s talk about some of the best ways to take care of yourself by getting enough sleep in 2017, starting with how to celebrate Festival of Sleep Day…
Focus on Comfort
Grab your favorite PJs and your most cuddly sleeping partner for a mid-day siesta. And don’t get up until
you want to!
Take Stock of Your Sleep Haven
Make sure that your bedroom is all about sleep by ditching clutter, creating the perfect sleeping temperature (sleep experts say somewhere around 70 degrees is best), and putting your softest sheets and blankets to good use. And make sure to keep the electronic devices out of your sleep sanctuary too!
Hit the Snooze Button
If you aren’t able to take all day off to do nothing but rest and relax, be sure to at least make good use of the snooze button on January 3
rd to buy you some extra time in bed. You deserve it!
Go to Bed Early
Don’t be tempted to stay up late and get some work or chores done – not on the Festival of Sleep, for crying out loud! Instead, celebrate the day by hitting the hay early, and treat yourself to an extra hour or two of beauty rest.
Make a Celebratory Switch
If you just can swing squeezing in more sleep on Festival of Sleep Day since it happens to fall on a Tuesday this year, make a promise to yourself that you’ll celebrate on one of your days off.
Make a Better Sleep Resolution
Use this sleep-focused holiday to better your sleep habits throughout the year by getting more (and better) sleep all throughout 2017. Promise yourself that you will either get to bed earlier or stay in bed longer for at least 30 minutes a day. Even a half an hour adds up quickly when it comes to your sleep health!
