Boxing Day Bliss: How a Post-Holiday Pause Can Enhance Your Sleep

In many Canadian families, Boxing Day¹ is an important day for spending chilled-out time together and winding down after all the hustle and bustle of the festive period. It provides a much-needed break following the whirlwind of shopping, partying, hosting events, traveling, holiday gatherings and late nights.

Quality sleep² is often somewhat neglected over the Christmas period³. However, it's essential for physical, mental and emotional well-being⁴. Embracing calm on Boxing Day and using the days between Christmas and New Year as a cool-down period allows people to prioritize rest and recharge for forthcoming celebrations and the year ahead.

The Power of Rest and Recovery

Taking it easy on Boxing Day provides time for rest and recuperation, which can improve overall health and mood, restore energy and even boost cognitive function⁵. People can use the post-holiday lull to catch up on sleep, get some fresh air and sunlight⁶, do some gentle exercise⁷ and perhaps consider how to transition back to their regular routines.

Boxing Day rest helps restore balance to the body and mind, increasing the likelihood of an uplifted mood, improved immune response⁸ and reduced stress⁹—all of which set a positive tone for the year ahead!

Using Boxing Day to Improve Ongoing Sleep

Past studies suggest that over one-third of Canadians don't get enough sleep¹⁰. However, research from Pearl Strategy and Innovation Design¹¹ shows that many Canadians are actively seeking to improve their sleep¹² quality and habits as part of their wider health goals. As well as resting, people can use Boxing Day to plan for better ongoing rest to further their longer-term sleep aims. Good preparation also helps to tackle the winter blues¹³.

Creating a Cozy Sleep Environment: Organize and Optimize

Studies show that a clean and tidy bedroom promotes better sleep¹⁴. It enhances calm¹⁵ and lowers stress levels, reduces the risk of nighttime falls and promotes health¹⁶. While many Canadians understand the benefits¹⁷ of a clean and organized space, finding time to devote to household tasks can be tricky. Boxing Day offers the ideal chance to get everything in order!

Optimizing the sleeping area may also include creating a soothing environment through lighting¹⁸ — consider switching harsh, bright lights for bedside lamps, dimmable overhead lights or fairy lights. It's also crucial to ensure the ideal temperature for good sleep¹⁹. Ramp up relaxation with aromatherapy²⁰ and minimize distractions, such as outside noises²¹, electronics and street lighting.

Shopping for Sleep: Invest in Products for Better Sleep

Boxing Day is renowned for its sales. Moreover, various sources, including SupplyChainBrain²², Statista²³ and Sensormatic²⁴, point to Boxing Day as one of the busiest shopping days in Canada. It's a terrific chance to bag bargains on diverse products, including those designed to improve sleep quality.

Consider upgrading mattresses²⁵ and pillows²⁶ and investing in relaxation aids, such as weighted blankets²⁷ and sound machines, for better nighttime rest. Additionally, those with sleep disorders²⁸ may benefit from products designed to enhance sleep therapy²⁹, such as the SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer³⁰. Alongside daily cleaning in line with manufacturers' recommendations, this device helps maintain CPAP equipment to the highest possible standard. This improves comfort and promotes hygiene — which may even help to ward off seasonal illnesses³¹. Boxing Day may also offer the prime opportunity to stock up on spare filters³², wipes³³ and pre-wash solution³⁴.

Investing in new bedroom items and sleep aids can bring long-term health benefits by establishing a clean and comfortable sleep environment and enhanced sleep therapy experiences.

Eating Mindfully: The Holiday Feast's Role in Sleep

Holiday meals are often rich and hearty — and many people may overindulge! While some seasonal ingredients promote sleep, others hinder quality rest. For example, turkey is rich in tryptophan³⁵, an amino acid known to promote relaxation and sleepiness. Similarly, carbohydrate-rich sides and desserts like roast potatoes and sweet pies can also boost serotonin levels³⁶, enhancing a feeling of calm and contentment. Simple carbs also help people absorb tryptophan for a double dietary win. However, refined carbohydrates can hamper sleep. Additionally, alcohol, caffeine, fatty foods and sugar-laden dishes can make drifting off difficult³⁷.

Recipes to use up leftovers³⁸ can make or break good sleep. Choose those that include sleep-promoting ingredients³⁹, such as rice, whole grains, nuts, pumpkin seeds and yoghurt.

Make Boxing Day Your Sleep Sanctuary

This Boxing Day, make self-care a priority by focusing on rest, relaxation and overhauling sleep settings. Embracing the holiday's quieter side can support overall well-being and create a positive tone for the new year ahead.

References

1. The Canadian Encyclopedia – Boxing Day
2. Sleep On It – Why sleep?
3. Canadian Sleep Society, Canadian Sleep and Circadian Network, and Immerscience – Happy Sleep-Filled Holidays: The Best Gift Ever!
4. University of Alberta, Life Lines – Importance of Sleep
5. Western University Canada, Thrive Online – The Role of Sleep on Brain Function
6. Healthline – Exposure to Natural Light During the Day May Help You Sleep Better
7. SoClean – Move More at Home with Low-Impact Exercises
8. Health Insight – Good Immunity – The Sleep-Health Connection
9. Heart & Stroke – Manage your stress
10. Government of Canada, HPCDP Journal – Original quantitative research – Associations of sleep duration and sleep quality with indicators of mental health among youth and adults: findings from the 2015 Canadian Community Health Survey
11. Pearl Strategy and Innovation Design – Health & Wellness in Canada
12. Cision – New study reveals: Canadians aim to improve sleep and manage mental health as upcoming time change adds strain
13. SoClean – 6 Ways to Shake off the Winter Blues
14. SoClean – A Clean Bedroom for Better Sleep
15. Forbes Health – The Mental Health Benefits of a Clean Home
16. Government of Canada – Healthy home guide
17. Cision – New Survey Reveals That Canadians Believe a Clean Space Improves Mental and Physical Health
18. ScienceDirect – The effects of different bedroom light environments in the evening on adolescents
19. Canadian Living – This is the Ideal Temperature of Our Bedroom
20. ScienceDirect – Effect of aromatherapy on sleep quality of adults and elderly people: A systematic literature review and meta-analysis
21. SoClean - Sleep in the City: How Noise and Light Can Disrupt Your Slumber
22. SupplyChainBrain – Black Friday, Boxing Day Expected to Be North America's Busiest Shopping Days
23. Statista – Holiday season shopping in Canada - statistics & facts
24. Sensormatic - Sensormatic Solutions predicts the global top busiest shopping days of the 2023 holiday season
25. Healthline – Does a Good Mattress Lead to Better Sleep?
26. SoClean – The Quest for the Perfect Pillow
27. UCLA Health – Weighted blankets can help with sleep
28. Sleep On It – Sleep disorder
29. SoClean – Ways to Improve Comfort While Using Sleep Therapy
30. SoClean – SoClean 2 CPAP Cleaner and Sanitizer
31. SoClean – CPAP Hygiene: A Defense Against Seasonal Pneumonia
32. SoClean – Cartridge Filter Kit - SoClean 2
33. SoClean – Unscented Wipes
34. SoClean – Neutralizing Pre-Wash
35. WebMD – Foods High in Tryptophan
36. National Library of Medicine – Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression
37. Healthline – 6 Foods That Keep You Awake at Night
38. Food Network – Leftovers
39. AARP – 9 Superfoods to Help You Sleep