12 Ways Your Sleep Schedule Can Prevent Holiday Meltdowns

12 Steps to a Calmer Holiday: Choose One Thing to Start

Holidays bring a mix of joy and strain. The common thread in many holiday meltdowns is not the festivities themselves but the erosion of sleep and routine that leaves us emotionally fragile. The strategies above give practical, science-friendly ways to protect your sleep and, by extension, your patience and presence. You don’t need to do everything at once. Pick one small change that feels doable—set a wake time, pack a sleep kit, or try a brief evening wind-down—and notice how it shifts your energy. Over time, stacking small wins makes a big difference in how you respond to stress and how much you enjoy time with others. Be gentle with yourself. Perfection is not the goal; steadiness is. If travel or extra events throw you off, use the quick recovery tips and return to your routine the next day. Sleep is not a luxury during the season—it’s the foundation of resilience that helps you stay connected, calm, and present. Treat it like the quiet holiday gift it truly is.