According to the CDC, about 30% of Americans don't get enough sleep.

Some of these people are too stressed out at the end of the day to drift off to sleep. Others have been diagnosed with sleep disorders that prevent them from sleeping peacefully.

And then, there are those who don't get enough sleep simply because they choose to stay up late at night and have to wake up early for work.

If you struggle to get enough shut-eye for any reason, the holidays are the perfect time to catch up on sleep. But should you get up early on your days off from work—or is it OK to sleep in during winter holidays?

It's a difficult question to answer. There are so many benefits that come along with both getting up early and sleeping in during winter holidays.

Let's check out some of the benefits of each so that you can decide which option is best for you.

The Benefits of Getting Up Early During Winter Holidays

When you're walking around out in the world first thing in the morning, so-called "morning people" seem few and far between. You're usually greeted by nothing but long faces when you're on your way to work.

That might make what we're about to tell you a huge shock. But believe it or not, the majority of Americans consider themselves to be morning people.

A poll was conducted a few years back that showed that about 55% of people say they're at their absolute best in the morning. It also showed that only about 25% of people say that they come alive in the nighttime and consider themselves "night people."

On the surface, it might seem strange that so many people love the morning time. But when you dig a little deeper, it's not hard to see why getting up early—and more specifically, getting up early in the wintertime—is so beneficial.

In the winter, the sun is only up for about 9.5 hours, which is nothing when you consider that it's up for about 14.5 hours in the summer. Therefore, those who get up out of bed early during the holidays get to enjoy more sunlight.

This sunlight can work wonders for your mood in the winter. It can boost your body's melatonin levels and help you avoid the winter blues.

Giving your body access to as much sunlight as you can in the winter is also important because it helps to calibrate your circadian clock. This will help you sleep more soundly at night.

These benefits alone should inspire you to try waking up early at least a few days during the winter holidays.

The Benefits of Sleeping In During Winter Holidays

There are some people out there who love the sound of waking up early during the winter holidays. Even though they wouldn't mind catching up on some sleep, they love taking advantage of as much daylight as they possibly can in the wintertime.

But there are also some people out there who are shaking their heads right now in total disbelief upon hearing that there are actually people who choose to wake up early when they don't have to. They're also laughing at the idea of someone bothering to ask the question, "Should you get up early during winter holidays?"

It's hard to blame them. There is nothing quite like curling up under the covers on a bitter winter morning and catching a few more Zs thanks to your holiday break from work.

Getting enough sleep is of the utmost importance to those of all ages. The National Sleep Foundation suggests adults get anywhere from 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night.

When you're able to give your body this much sleep, even for just a few nights during your holiday break, you can turn yourself into a healthier person. You can also make yourself more alert and aware during the day.

Additionally, you can reduce your stress levels and put yourself into a better mood. You might even be able to avoid packing on extra pounds during the holidays when you get enough sleep.

Plus, as if all that wasn't enough, sleeping in during winter holidays will just make you feel good. You'll appreciate being able to wake up when you want to do it as opposed to waking up to a loud alarm blasting in your ear and telling you it's time to go to work.

How to Make the Most of Any Amount of Sleep

Whether you plan on getting up early during the holiday season or already have your heart set on sleeping in, you should make the most of whatever amount of time you plan to spend in bed.

If you haven't invested in a new mattress in more than a decade, think about buying yourself a mattress for Christmas. If you have a newer mattress with older sheets on it, pick up some new sheets as well as a new comforter and maybe even a new weighted blanket.

These items will help you fall asleep and stay asleep at night. If you choose to sleep in and lounge around in your bedroom all day, they'll also help you stay comfortable under the covers. 

So Should You Get Up Early or Sleep In During the Holidays This Year?

Did you know that almost 90% of Americans say that the holiday season stresses them out? Many of these people end up going back to work in the new year more tired than they were when they left for their holiday break.

Don't be one of these people! Make sure you get plenty of rest before, during, and after the holidays so that you can recharge your mind and body. You'll feel so much better going back to work when you do.

Make sure you ask yourself the question, "Should you get up early or sleep in during winter holidays?", and answer it the way you want to. You don't get too many days off from work, so you should pick whichever option sounds best to you.

Would you like to get your hands on a new mattress, a new comforter, new sheets, or something else that'll help you sleep better during the holiday season? Contact us to hear more about what we have in stock.