Ah, Christmas. The magical time of year where everyone pretends to be calm and organised while secretly running around like a turkey with its head cut off. Between the late-night wrapping, last-minute shopping, questionable amounts of prosecco, and family staying over, it’s no wonder so many of us end up shattered before the big day arrives.
Sleep during December feels like some kind of luxury item — right up there with a quiet kitchen and a tin of Roses that hasn’t been raided yet. But here’s the thing: getting some decent kip over Christmas isn’t impossible. With a few small tweaks and a bit of self-kindness, you can keep your energy up, keep your mood stable, and your sanity more or less intact.
So, pop the kettle on or pour yourself a glass of Baileys, and let’s chat about how you can sleep well during the Christmas chaos.
1. accept that it’s going to be a bit messy
It’s important to be realistic. Christmas is rarely calm, that’s just a fact. The house will be noisy, your sleep schedule will go wonky, and you’ll probably end up eating Quality Street at midnight at least once. That’s fine! The goal isn’t perfection; it’s balance.
Once you accept that things will be a little chaotic, you can stop stressing about every disruption. Maybe you’ll go to bed later one night after a party, or wake up early because the kids are too excited to sleep. That’s okay. Try to keep a loose rhythm (roughly similar bed and wake times), but don’t beat yourself up if it slips a bit, it’s bound to happen.
2. create a calm corner (even if it’s tiny)
During the festive season, your home might feel like a cross between Santa’s grotto and a soft play centre. Fairy lights everywhere, wrapping paper chaos, relatives arguing over Monopoly… you get the idea.
Prioritise keeping your bedroom calm and clutter-free throughout the festive season. Keep it dimly lit, cool, and cosy. Add a candle or some lavender spray if that’s your thing. That way, when you head to bed, your brain knows: this is my calm zone, I don’t have to think about Christmas anymore.
If you’re hosting guests, don’t feel guilty about retreating early. A polite “I’m just going to have a quick lie down before pudding” can be your secret weapon. No one will question you if you look vaguely helpful and mutter something about checking the roasties.
3. watch the booze (sorry!)
Yes, I know — no one wants to be the Grinch when the mulled wine is flowing. But here’s the harsh truth: alcohol really affects your sleep quality. You might nod off faster, but you’ll wake up more often and feel groggier in the morning.
So, if you can, pace yourself. Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks (soda water with lime looks almost identical to gin and tonic — handy for dodging those “go on, have another!” moments). And if you know you’ve got a big night ahead, plan a couple of alcohol-free days afterwards to let your sleep reset.
Your head — and your liver — will thank you.
4. get daylight and fresh air
It’s easy to spend entire days inside during December — especially when it’s cold, dark, and raining sideways. But getting outside, even for ten minutes, does wonders for your sleep. Daylight helps regulate your body clock, keeping your sleep-wake cycle on track.
Try going for a quick morning walk (yes, even if it’s just round the block). Or if you’re out shopping, park a bit further away, clock in some extra steps and soak up that fresh air.
Bonus: it also gives you a brief escape from the house when Aunt Linda starts telling her “hilarious” stories for the third time.
5. keep an eye on the sugar and snacks
The festive diet is basically 80% sugar, 10% cheese, and 10% beige party food. Delicious? Absolutely. Sleep-friendly? Not so much.
Huge meals late at night, plus all that chocolate and caffeine-laced “Christmas coffee”, can make it harder for your body to wind down. Try your best not to eat heavy or sugary foods right before bed, at least not every single night. And if you do get the late-night munchies, go for something that will be gentle on your stomach — a banana or an oat biscuit is a nice alternative to another handful of Celebrations.
6. protect your wind-down time
December evenings can blur into one long blur of wrapping, prepping, and planning. But if you go straight from frantic activity to bed, your brain probably won’t be able to switch off.
Set yourself a mini wind-down ritual — something that tells your body it’s time to rest. Try having a warm bath, doing a bit of stretching, or reading a cosy book (no, not checking emails or frantically doing some online shopping).
You could even make it festive if you fancy it: light a cinnamon-scented candle, listen to soft Christmas jazz, or do a little gratitude journaling about what went well that day. It sounds a bit twee, but it really helps to calm down that mental buzz.
7. manage the noise (and the snorers)
Let’s not sugar-coat it: Christmas guests can be loud. There’s always that one relative who snores like a chainsaw or insists on watching telly at full volume.
If you’re sharing a house, pack some decent earplugs or a white noise app. Soft background noise — like rainfall or gentle static — can drown out the chaos. And if you’re the snorer… maybe bring some nasal strips and do everyone a favour.
8. move your body (in between the feasting)
Exercise is one of the best natural sleep aids, but it’s also one of the first things we ditch in December. You don’t have to hit the gym — even a brisk walk, a bit of dancing in the kitchen, or some light stretching can make all the difference.
Moving your body helps burn off that extra festive energy, reduces stress, and makes your pillow feel even more inviting later. Plus, if you sneak in a bit of activity, you can enjoy that second slice of Christmas pudding with zero guilt.
9. mind the screen time
It’s tempting to scroll endlessly through online shopping deals or late-night TikToks, but that blue light really messes with your sleep hormones. Try putting your phone down an hour before bed — or at least switch it on to night mode.
If you really can’t resist your phone then try doing something soothing on it, like listening to a sleep podcast or a Christmas audiobook.
10. be kind to yourself
Finally — and most importantly — go easy on yourself. The holidays can be stressful, emotional, and exhausting. You don’t have to do everything perfectly. You don’t have to attend every event, host every meal, or have the “perfect” Christmas Instagram feed.
If you’re tired, rest. If you need quiet time, take it. Sleep isn’t selfish — it’s how you recharge so you can actually enjoy the festive season rather than stumble through it in a fog of exhaustion and caffeine.
sleep at Christmas: final thoughts
Sleep might not be the most glamorous part of Christmas, but it’s the foundation for everything else — your mood, your patience, and even your ability to laugh when the roast potatoes burn.
So this year, give yourself the gift of rest. Protect your peace, prioritise your sleep, and remember: the wrapping can wait till the morning. Until next time, eve Sleep.
