Halloween is traditionally celebrated with costumes, parties, bonfires, and trick-or-treating. These activities, while a lot of fun, can be tiring. Halloween treats like caramel apples and candy are carb-heavy and can cause fluctuations in your energy levels. This combination of celebrating and eating sweet treats can negatively affect your sleep.
Since 1 in 3 American adults regularly fails to get sufficient sleep, we have a few tips to avoid losing sleep due to Halloween.
Ultimate tip for better Halloween sleep: Plan ahead
We know it’s not easy to maintain a proper sleep schedule during Halloween, but don't worry! Down Etc has uncovered some helpful tips for protecting your sleep on Halloween. Begin by planning ahead.
Eat high-fiber foods and drink water regularly
Halloween foods, being rich in high-glycemic-index carbohydrates, can raise your blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can cause you to become hyperenergetic, preventing you from falling asleep.
One way to reduce your sweet cravings is to eat foods rich in fiber and water. High-fiber foods are high in bulk, which gives you a sense of satiation and reduces your craving for unhealthy snacks! Meanwhile, dehydration can make you feel tired, fatigued, and lethargic and lead to symptoms such as muscle cramps, headaches, and dryness in the mouth and nasal passages, which affect sleep. Drinking water at regular intervals keeps you hydrated, leading to good sleep.
Watch out for bedtime scares that might keep you up at night
Watching horror movies is a long-time Halloween tradition; however, unless you are accustomed to horror movies, they may leave you disturbed for some time. Horror movies can inhibit deep relaxation because your brain is too busy processing what happened in the movie to prepare itself for rest. So, if you’re planning on watching a horror movie, make sure you do it well before you plan to go to bed.
Avoid caffeine-containing foods before bedtime
Come Halloween, you might not be able to avoid having a bit of chocolate candy. Remember, cocoa solids, the main ingredient of many chocolates, contain caffeine, a known stimulant. Caffeine affects natural sleep cycle patterns so limit your intake of chocolate candy close to bedtime.
Block out the light with a sleep mask
One of the best ways to get a good night's sleep is by investing in light-blocking curtains or a quality eye mask. The National Sleep Foundation says that exposure to bright lights affects our sleep cycle. So, it makes sense that darkening your sleeping environment can help you fall asleep faster!
Consider a nap
Celebrate Halloween wholeheartedly, but plan for how you will manage it without compromising your health and sleep. If festivities go until late at night, or if there are other obligations that prevent sleeping during this time of year, try to squeeze in a nap.
Ensure you have the proper bedding
A good night's sleep can help reduce stress and keep you happy, so it is important to invest in the right bedding. Pillows, sheets, and comforters contribute to a luxurious environment for a restful night! Rest assured, Down Etc has everything you need for that perfect Halloween sleep.
Updated Links July 27, 2022
