Silent night: why seasonal sleep is essential for Christmas

The countdown to Christmas is on. With so much to do and think about, the pressure can disrupt sleep. At a time of year when we need to be on top form, getting enough shut-eye is essential

The countdown to Christmas is on. With so much to do and think about, the pressure can disrupt sleep. At a time of year when we need to be on top form, getting enough shut-eye is essential

”TWAS the night before Christmas and all through the house, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse…”

If only the words of this classic Christmas rhyme bore any resemblance to modern-day reality. In the days between now and Christmas, far from spending our evenings tucked up in bed, many of us will be rushing around shopping for presents, attending festive gatherings with work colleagues and friends, and organising logistics to get all the family together for a feast on the big day.