Sleeping Well During the Holi... Video Transcript

Webcast Transcript

SONIA ANCOLI-ISRAEL, PhD: One of the ways that people avoid some of the stress of the holidays is to shop online, and that's a wonderful thing to do, because it saves you the time of going out to the stores and the hustle and bustle and all the crowds.

And if you're going to be traveling for the holidays, make sure to plan ahead for that as well in terms of your sleep.

One of the things we can do to try to improve sleep when we're traveling, sleeping in a strange bed, whether it's in a hotel or in a friend's house, is to make the environment as conducive to sleep as possible. If that means bringing something that's comforting to you, bringing your own pillow that'll make it easier for you to sleep, that's great.

Make the room as dark as possible.

Get some comfortable earplugs to block out the noise. Make sure the temperature of the room is comfortable, not too hot and not too cold. All these things in combination will help you sleep better, even in a strange environment.

ANNOUNCER: Experts say you should also give yourself some space to clear your head.

SONIA ANCOLI-ISRAEL, PhD: What we suggest is that people find ten, fifteen minutes during the day to force themselves to sit down quietly. We call this "Setting aside a worry time." And it sounds very silly, but it works.

ANNOUNCER: And if you know the holidays are going to steal away your sleep, talk to your doctor.

SONIA ANCOLI-ISRAEL, PhD: There are lots of behavioral things that we can do to help ourselves sleep better, but sometimes we need additional help, and that's the time when people turn to sleeping pills. There are lots of different sleeping aids on the market; some are over-the-counter, and some are prescription.

So if you find that you are having suddenly difficulty with insomnia and it's making it difficult for you to function during the day and to get through the holidays, go see your doctor. There's nothing wrong with getting some help to help you get a better night's sleep.

ANNOUNCER: So while you may not be able to avoid the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, you owe it to yourself to make it the best it can be.

GARY ZAMMIT, PhD: The best way to enjoy the holidays is to enjoy them feeling rested and refreshed, and the best way to do that is to get the sleep that you need.

Related Videos

When Worries Surface at Night: Sleep and Anxiety
The Link Between Sleep and Depression
Discussing Sleep Problems With Your Doctor