When it comes to Christmas we all have our traditions, while many party well into Christmas day morning, others opt for an early night to fully prepare for the festivities. But what do your sleep habits reveal about your personality and which Christmas character do you have the most in common with? Just in time for the yuletide celebrations, Nectar Sleep’s lifestyle and wellness expert Erin Berman has revealed the different personalities and advised on how best to improve your sleep – including how to stop your partner snoring.
The Elf – Constantly busy, can stay up all night and has the ability to function on two hours sleep
On the whole, you are a social butterfly that can function on very little sleep, but you sometimes struggle to unwind.
If this is you, try to keep plants in the bedroom.
Potted plants such as Lavender and Jasmine are extremely beneficial for settling racing minds, allowing you to unwind and therefore producing better quality sleep.
The Snowman – Always hot under the cover and sleeps with the window open no matter what time of year
Research from Northumbria Centre for Sleep Research found the optimum bedroom sleeping temperature to be a maximum of only 22°C.
Many bedding manufacturers now offer duvets designed to regulate temperature, so whether you’re a snowman, or the opposite, you should be able to find a product to help you reach the perfect temperature under the covers.
A lifestyle and wellness expert has revealed the top 10 sleep personalities (Image: Getty)
What your Christmas sleep habit says about your personality (Image: Getty)
The Christmas Pudding – Eats and drinks too much, can sleep anywhere, especially after a soaking of brandy
Although it can be hard to avoid drinking during the build up to Christmas, alcohol can wreak havoc on your sleep cycle.
It may help you to drift off quicker, but alcohol also reduces restorative sleep. Where possible, try and stop drinking a couple of hours before bed, so the effects of the alcohol can begin to wear off – helping to promote a better sleep.
The Pig in Blanket – A greedy sleeper that can’t help a late night snack
This sleeper loves nothing more than being wrapped up in bed (or bacon)
It’s always difficult to keep up healthy eating during Christmas time but try and incorporate known brain-boosting foods into your diet, including oily fish, dark chocolate and berries.
These foodstuffs can easily slot into day-to-day life and even at the Christmas dinner table.
A Christmas elf has the ability to function on two hours sleep (Image: Getty)
The Roast Potato – Similar to the couch potato, this sleeper loves a duvet day and can sleep in for hours despite the Christmas excitement
Keep in mind that going to bed and waking up at a similar time and aiming for 7-9 hours where possible, is key for a good night’s sleep.
The science behind this comes from a phenomenon called social jet lag whereby your circadian rhythms, which dictate sleep, become misaligned with the sleep you’re actually getting.
Effects can mimic those of sleep deprivation and can lead to weight gain, reduced mental performance and chronic illness.
The Robin – This early riser springs out of bed in the morning and is always up and raring to go
If this is you, be mindful that you’re not burning the candle at both ends, and by not allowing your mind and body time to relax, you can get into a vicious cycle.
Make sure to have a night time routine, aim for 8 hours kip a night, and invest in a decent mattress that promotes restful sleep.
A pig in blanket loves nothing more than being wrapped up in bed (Image: Getty)
Many people find themselves drifting to sleep after their Christmas dinner (Image: Getty)
The Angel – Really still, light sleeper that wakes up throughout the night
Many Britons, particularly light sleepers, admit to self-medication in the form of alcohol or medication in order to aid their sleep.
‘Sleeping aids’ can result in falling asleep quicker, but be mindful that you’ll be spending more time in a deep sleep rather than the REM stages of sleep, which actually leave you feeling rested and refreshed.
Investing in a good quality mattress can simply do the trick.
Tree Lights – Up on their phone all night and never switches off
Using your phone or laptop before bed can make it harder for you to fall asleep, the blue light emitted actually has a direct negative effect on melatonin levels – the hormone known to help induce sleep.
Instead, make listening to calm relaxing music or reading a book, part of your nightly ritual.
This will help you relax and contribute to an easier time falling asleep.
A Christmas pudding can sleep anywhere, according to the sleep expert (Image: Getty)
The Humbug – Snoring, dribbling or grumbling, this deep sleeper can sleep through anything and is usually spotted nodding off after their Christmas dinner
Research from Nectar sleep experts identified we are a nation of snorers – with one in ten Britons keeping their partner up at night.
If you live with a snoring humbug or are indeed one yourself, our experts have an unusual tip to stop snoring.
Five minutes a day singing the vowels, A-E-I-O-U, and holding each letter for as long as possible, strengthens muscles in the upper respiratory tract and can work to stop the tissues flapping and making unnecessary noise.
The Prancer – A restless sleeper, constantly fidgeting in bed and annoying fellow sleepers
In order to prevent fidgeting and promote comfort, look for a pillow firmness that best suits your sleeping style, a quality duvet with a high thread count, and consider purchasing a mattress protector.
The latter can help to increase mattress comfort while also helping your body temperature to regulate.
It’ll work for every cold and warm night throughout the seasons, not just at Christmas.