[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/avoid-sleep-deprivation-holidays\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/avoid-sleep-deprivation-holidays\/","headline":"Sleep Soundly During the Holidays","name":"Sleep Soundly During the Holidays","description":"The holiday season, as known by many, is the most wonderful time of the year. You know, there will be Parties for hosting\u2026 Marshmallows for toasting\u2026 And caroling out in the snow\u2026 And the song goes on.\u00a0 But we all know that the holiday season can be one of the most stressful and chaotic times […]","datePublished":"2013-12-09","dateModified":"2018-09-17","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sleep-regions","name":"Sleep Medicine","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/services\/sleep-regions","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/sleep-medicine\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/sleepy-guy-wearing-santa-hat.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2013\/12\/sleepy-guy-wearing-santa-hat.png","height":527,"width":791},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/avoid-sleep-deprivation-holidays\/","about":["Living and Wellness"],"wordCount":425,"keywords":["cold and flu season","Division of Sleep Surgery","holiday season","immune system","lack of sleep","Ryan Soose MD","stress"],"articleBody":"The holiday season, as known by many, is the most wonderful time of the year. You know, there will beParties for hosting\u2026Marshmallows for toasting\u2026And caroling out in the snow\u2026And the song goes on.\u00a0 But we all know that the holiday season can be one of the most stressful and chaotic times of the year. With stressful and lengthy trips to buy presents for friends and family, planning get-togethers, attending parties, wrapping presents, dealing with entertaining kids \u2013 both young and old \u2013 while they\u2019re off from school, there is a lot happening.\u00a0 And sometimes, according to Ryan Soose, MD, Director, Division of Sleep Surgery at UPMC, sleep can easily be left out of your schedule.\u201cA lot of times we are so busy during the holidays that we tend to set sleep aside,\u201d says Dr. Soose. \u201cAnd this lack of sleep can cause a lack in concentration and difficulty performing mental or physical chores, which may end up causing injuries.\u201dSleep is also very important to the immune system, and a lack of sleep combined with unwanted holiday stress can be a recipe for getting sick. \u201cStudies have shown that people who don’t get quality sleep or enough sleep are more likely to get sick after being exposed to a virus, such as the common cold,\u201d says Dr. Soose. \u201cAnd with the cold and flu season peaking during November and December, it\u2019s important to keep your immune system as strong as possible.\u201dIf you\u2019re worried about losing sleep over the holidays, Dr. Soose and the team from UPMC Sleep Medicine offer some tips for getting a good night\u2019s sleep.Make sure your bedroom is dark, quiet, and cool. If you need to drown out the noise of house-guests and other distractions, use a fan.If you do choose to partake in holiday sweets, drinks, and heavy food, try to finish eating or drinking at least two to three hours before your bedtime. This will help ensure that you can fall asleep comfortably and normally.Try to keep a routine exercise schedule. Physical activity won\u2019t just fight holiday weight gain; it will help you sleep better too.Try to limit stress as much as possible. Try taking 15-30 minutes of quiet time a day where you can relax.If you are traveling, make sure to bring a blanket, sleep mask or earplugs. Even the smallest items of comfort can help you sleep soundly while on a plane or in a car (just make sure you aren\u2019t driving)."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2013","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"12","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/\/12\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"Sleep Soundly During the Holidays","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2013\/12\/avoid-sleep-deprivation-holidays\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]