You had a great time during Halloween as a child because you got to dress up and eat WAY too much candy, and it’s even more fun watching your children experience this time of year. But as always, if you have sleep apnea, things can be a little more complicated. Thankfully, you don’t have to miss out on all the fun, frights, and festivities—just follow these simple tips so you can have a great time while getting the rest you need.
Stick to Your Bedtime (Mostly)
Maintaining consistent sleep hygiene is important for everyone, but it’s vital if you have sleep apnea. One of the central practices is trying to go to bed and wake up at the same time every day. So, if you normally lay down to sleep at 10, be sure to do the same on Halloween night. If you stay up until 10:30 or 11 to allow for extra trick-or-treating, it won’t be the end of the world, but being consistent will make sure you don’t feel groggy the next day.
Avoid Too Much Candy Before Bed
After trick-or-treating, everyone wants to rush home, dump out their bags or buckets, and start eating candy like there is no tomorrow. While children might have to contend with a tummy ache, consuming too much food right before bed is always a bad idea for people with sleep apnea. This can cause an excess of saliva and mucus in the mouth and throat, which makes breathing blockages more likely to happen throughout the night. It’s OK to have a few pieces of candy right before bed, but try to keep it to less than five—this just means you’ll have more to enjoy tomorrow!
Wear Your Mouthguard/CPAP
It’s easy to skip your nightly routine on Halloween, meaning you may end up not wearing your CPAP or sleep appliance to bed. While this might not seem like a big deal on the surface, you know that one night of subpar sleep can end up following you throughout the next week. Even if you decide to stay up a little later, sticking to your treatment will ensure you don’t end up paying for all the Halloween fun over the next few days.
About Our Practice
At Healthy Sleep Tulsa, our dentists’ goal is to help our patients live their lives to the fullest despite having a serious condition like sleep apnea. The holiday season is already here, and if you’re ready to get your sleep apnea under control, or if you’d like more tips like these, we are ready to help! If you have any questions about sleep apnea or getting treatment, we can be reached at our website or by phone at (918) 300-4325.