The Best Self-Care over the holidays? Sleep.

Since collapsing from sleep deprivation and exhaustion in 2007, Arianna Huffington has become an advocate for sleep.  Arianna was the co-founder and editor-in-chief of The Huffington Post which she ran for 11 years.  She launched Thrive Global in 2016.  "Thrive Global’s mission is to end the stress and burnout epidemic by offering companies and individuals sustainable, science-based solutions to enhance well-being, performance, and purpose, and create a healthier relationship with technology." 

While Margaret Thatcher is famously said to have slept for four hours a night, most adults need 7-9 hours per night.  Not getting enough sleep can impact on emotional wellbeing and over time can lead to medical conditions such as diabetes and heart disease.

The holidays can be a stressful time, here are 5 sleep tips to help:

1. Try a relaxing bedtime ritual, such as having a bath or reading a book to wind down from the busyness of the day.
2. Avoid caffeine for four to six hours before bedtime.
3. Get some exercise - take a long walk after that big Christmas dinner!
4. Limit your screen time before bed as the light affects your melatonin production.
5. Keep all electronic devices including phones, computers etc in a different room overnight so you won't be tempted to answer emails or texts.  They can wait until the morning.

For more resources about the science and benefits of sleep visit:
The Science of Sleep
Top 10 benefits Of A Good Nights Sleep
Healthy Sleep Tips