The festive season, for many, offers a much-needed break from the daily hustle and bustle.

With extended days, delayed bedtimes, and the occasional obligatory drink, the period from Eve to New Year's Day is a stark contrast to the usual 9-5 routine.

However, this disruption, as welcome as it may be, can play havoc with our sleep patterns, leaving us feeling exhausted and low. According to Kevin Morgan, a psychologist at Loughborough University, our sleep is governed by three mechanisms: firstly, the balance between sleep and wakefulness, a self-regulating process of homeostasis that means the longer we stay awake, the greater our need for sleep; secondly, our body clock (or circadian rhythm), which conveniently aligns our sleep-wake cycle with the 24-hour day, making us feel most sleepy when it's dark; and thirdly, psychological factors – such as the feeling of "having had a long day" – that make us more inclined to hit the hay.

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But Morgan cautions that Christmas brings a "perfect storm that challenges all of these processes at once and leads to lingering fatigue". With extended days and delayed bedtimes, we require compensatory lie-ins – but chances for those might be scarce, given family visits, high street sales, or parenting responsibilities.

Moreover, the socially accepted sleep deprivation fest that is New Year's Eve certainly doesn't aid the weary. Christmas isn't just about festive cheer; it also brings a fair share of planning, which can lead to both anticipation and anxiety. After all, if things can go right, they can also go very wrong.

And you don't need to be anxious to find yourself lying awake at night – sometimes, just thinking is enough to keep sleep at bay. Adding to the mix are food and alcohol, notorious for disrupting our rest.

Overindulgence might cause indigestion, often linked with insomnia, while alcohol, though it may initially help you nod off, tends to result in poor quality sleep due to withdrawal symptoms that cause early waking and, ultimately, a hangover.

So how can you ensure you stay well-rested over the holidays? Start by not entering the festive season with a sleep debt. Catch up on those needed 40 winks before Christmas Day to avoid starting on the back foot.

Also, don't pile on extra stress by striving for "perfect" sleep habits. Worrying about sleep only makes it harder to achieve. Instead, allow yourself an earlier night occasionally, a lie-in when needed, and a few naps here and there to recharge.