Tis the Season to be Stressed and Sleepless

The fall and winter seasons are often stressful times. We are dealing with less sunshine each day, and that bothers anyone with seasonal affective disorder. The holiday season comes with a lengthy to-do list that is enough to cause a heaping helping of anxiety.

During the winter months, some may be settling in for a long winter’s nap, but some of us are too stressed to sleep. It makes it a lot harder to enjoy the festivities when you are exhausted.

A busy schedule keeps me awake at night

I have a big family, so there is a lot to do. From shopping to cooking to just being on the go, it can be overwhelming at times. Trying to manage it all literally keeps me up at night. Add some mental health conditions to the mix and it can turn into misery.

I have agoraphobia, and that makes it very stressful to leave home. I also have panic disorder, meaning a random panic attack is not out of the question. Trying to get everything done causes a great deal of stress, and stress agitates my insomnia. Now I am stressed out and exhausted.

Visions of sugar plums are not what is in my head

How many of you are lying awake at night worrying about a hectic holiday schedule? Are you staring at the ceiling running through your shopping list in your head? Do you toss and turn while trying to figure out how to work everything into your schedule? How are we supposed to sleep with all these things running through our minds day and night?

No matter how hard I try to put these worries to bed, I am going to be stuck staring at the ceiling. How am I supposed to have a merry holiday season and a good night if I cannot sleep? How am I supposed to spring out of bed if the clatter in my head kept me awake all night? All these nights before the holidays are stressing me out and making me miss out on hour after hour of sleep.

Making a list and checking it twice

Losing hours of daylight and anxiety over the winter holidays equals misery for me. It is hard to sleep when it seems like it is dark all the time and my mind is in overdrive. No matter how hard I try to de-stress, it simply does not work. There is too much to do. There is always a rush.

I have made a list to try to help me stay organized and make sure I get everything taken care of during these hectic times. I check it often to see what needs to be done. It should be helping me stress a little less, but the constant reminder of what needs to be done is causing a great deal of anxiety. It is helpful, but it also stresses me out seeing everything I still need to do.

Fa-la-la-la-la la-la-la-loopy

Am I the only one who gets a little silly or giddy when exhaustion is getting out of hand? It is much harder to focus and get things done when I reach this stage of tiredness. I seem to be stuck in this phase a great deal as of late. Sleep is at the top of my wish list.

Do you have a harder time sleeping during the winter months and holiday season? What are your tips and tricks for coping with sleeplessness and stress?