Keep on top of late nights with these simple tips

Late nights are part and parcel of the party season and Christmas period. Here are some handy tips to get you through!

Late nights getting to you? You're not alone. It's great to catch up with friends, but it can start to take its toll after a while. Especially when you have to go to work, organise presents, visit relatives etc. Christmas is a busy time of year. It's hectic and fun, tiring and stressful all at the same time. And, it's also a time when it's easy to get run down.

Sleep is one of the most important physical things we can do for our bodies and minds. But when our brains are buzzing, it can be hard to switch off. There's always so much to think about, and do. Throw a few glasses of wine and some late nights into the mix and... you know the score.

Here are some handy tips to get you through the late nights, early mornings and general craziness that is, Christmas time.

Vitamins

One of the things that can happen when you're tired and not sleeping enough is an urge to eat sugary foods. This is apparently our bodies way of trying to get some extra energy. It does work, but only for a short amount of time. It's a similar story with coffee - which cleverly tricks our brain into thinking it isn't tired (although our body is).

Another tale tale sign of not sleeping enough is that our skin tends to go a bit haywire. Both of these things can be helped by upping the vitamins in our diets. Zinc for example, is fantastic for repairing skin. While Iron is good for energy. You can choose to take multivitamins or supplements, or alternatively choose foods that are high in vitamins for breakfast & lunch such as spinach, chickpeas and eggs. Keeping your vitamin levels up will also help to ward off any nasty colds dong the rounds.

Relaxation

If you aren't a fan of podcasts then maybe this tip isn't for you. But, they can be a fantastic way to quiet your mind at bed time. One of my favourites is called "Stuff you Should Know", which covers everything from how Guide Dogs become, eh, Guide Dogs to how patents work or how mirrors are made (it's really interesting!).

There are a lot of specialised relaxation podcasts available too. Some focus on breathing, while others, such as "Sleepy" are based around story telling.

Water

It's such a simple thing, but we often forget to drink enough water when we're busy. Staying hydrated can help in all manner of ways though from keeping our skin clear to staving off dark circles. Plus, it helps to flush out toxins (such as alcohol, smoking, or the odd late night kebab!).