How to Avoid Putting

Your Sleep on Ice this

Winter
Wish you could hibernate through the winter? Learn why you might
struggle sleeping this season and what you can do about it.
’Twas a night close to Christmas, and all through your house,

Nobody’s awake. Not your kids. Not your spouse.

It’s late in the evening. And your day is a wrap.

So you settle in for a long winter’s nap.

But you’re tossing and turning. Your brain’s all a scatter.

“I’m wide awake! Ugh! What’s the matter?!”

It’s been tougher to sleep. There must be a reason.

Turns out your problems may be caused by the season.

Like it or not, the changing seasons impact your sleep. Now that winter
is near, you’ve got some new challenges to face. Here’s a quick guide
on some factors that can hamper sleep in winter and what you can do to
survive the season.

Gingerbread Cookies. And Eggnog. And Ham. And Christmas Ale. And …
From Thanksgiving through New Year’s Eve, we’re surrounded by tasty
foods and delicious beverages. Changes in your eating habits during the
holidays, like having meals later than normal or consuming extra caffeine
throughout the day, can disrupt your sleep with heartburn, indigestion,
insomnia or just a few extra middle-of-the-night bathroom visits.

It’s not just you that can suffer from holiday overindulgence. Alcohol
relaxes your muscles, including those in your mouth and throat, which
can compromise your airways. Translation: loud snoring and a sleep
partner who’s wide awake.

SURVIVE IT: To avoid sleep Scrooges, like insomnia and heartburn, be mindful
of what and when you eat. Try limiting caffeine, alcohol or heavy meals to the
early evening. (Still tossing and turning at night? Try a sleep aid.)