Posted on Thursday, December 1st, 2022 at 6:00 am
The holidays are here! That means you may be preparing to travel or entertain guests. Even if you are not going on a road trip or welcoming family into your home, the holidays can be stressful. The holiday season can impact the quality of your sleep, especially if you have sleep apnea.
What can you do to make it through the holidays when you have sleep apnea? At Silent Night Therapy, we have helpful hints that will help you have more silent nights this holiday season.
Practice Good Communication
If you are traveling for the holidays, practice good communication. Sleep apnea is nothing to be embarrassed about today. The AMA estimates that at least 30 million people in the United States suffer from sleep apnea. Let your host know what you need in advance. Give them a heads up if you need distilled water for your CPAP machine, or ask if the guest bed is near an outlet. Being away from home can be uncomfortable, but friends and family can make the experience less stressful if they know what you need.
Pack for the Unexpected
Follow the old motto: always be prepared. If you are traveling for the holidays, pack spare parts for your CPAP machine, an extra power adapter, or a spare battery pack. If you are traveling by plane, keep these components, your oral appliance, and prescription medications in your carry-on bag in case the airline loses your luggage.
Take What Makes You Comfortable
Sleeping in an unfamiliar location can be stressful and uncomfortable. Bring items that bring you peace of mind or comfort. A favorite pillow or blanket, a stuffed toy, a black-out sleep mask, or noise-canceling headphones are all items that can remind you of your home and help block out the rest of the world. Consider spritzing your favorite scent or room spray on a pillow or blanket. Scent has a powerful connection to memories and may help comfort you when you are far from home.
Moderation Is Key
The holidays tend to be synonymous with indulgence. However, overindulging in certain foods or alcohol can impact the quality of your sleep. Go easy on cocktails, red meat, fried foods, and caffeine, all of which may worsen sleep apnea symptoms. Enjoy holiday entertaining but do so in moderation. Holiday weight gain can also exacerbate sleep apnea symptoms long after the holiday season is over.
Take a Break
Gathering with family and friends can be fun, but sometimes staying in close quarters can be stressful. Give yourself time to recharge and find a few minutes to spend alone. Remaining mindful can help you stay positive and weather the ups and downs of challenging family dynamics.
Maintain a Schedule
It’s hard but try to keep your sleep schedule. Going to bed and waking up at your usual time will help your body maintain a sense of equilibrium. If you are changing time zones, take a nap and slowly try to adjust. You want to maintain a relatively normal sleep schedule.
Contact Us for Better Sleep Today
Need more help managing your sleep apnea? At Silent Night Therapy, we want to help you get better sleep and wake up refreshed and revived. For a free consultation with a sleep apnea professional, contact our New York better sleep team at 631-983-2463 today.