National Sleep Foundation

During winter break, many families choose to travel the world, celebrate the holidays or try their hand at hobbies they don’t have time for during school. However, I prefer to jump into bed the minute school lets out and treat myself to a well-deserved reset for the coming semester.

My family doesn’t like to spend money on vacations, especially since both my parents are workaholics and usually continue to do their jobs  through the holidays. As a result, I usually stay at home during winter break, making it the perfect time for me to catch up on all the sleep debt I’ve accumulated during the semester.

On school days, I’m forced to wake up at 7:00 am every day even though I naturally prefer to wake up past noon. During these blissful two weeks, however, I have the rare opportunity for me to sleep as much as I want.

Most students sleep an average of 7 hours a day, so the break is a perfect time to catch up and enjoy the sleep. Teens need 8-10 hours a day, and 7 hours each day does not cut it. Most people lose 1 hour of sleep a day, resulting in fatigue and exhaustion at school; I usually am most excited about the sleeping time during breaks, I can finally reclaim all the sleep deficit I had gained throughout the school year.

Some people may say that I’m missing out on the holiday festivities by sleeping in, but I’ve compiled a few reasons why sleeping in is just as rewarding as non-stop holiday celebrations and extravagant vacations. 

Ultimately, the holidays aren’t defined by celebrations or vacations. What’s important is taking time to enjoy yourself, whether that means vacationing, spending time with family, or simply sleeping. There isn’t one way to celebrate, so don’t feel pressured by others who are celebrating holidays in extravagant ways. After all, sleep is very important for your body; even though you might feel grateful for it, your body sure will!