Taking Down the Christmas Tree and Finding Rest in January
Taking down the Christmas tree and putting away all of the decorations is always a little depressing. All that’s left, it seems, are early nightfalls and quiet evenings. That 5 pm sunset feels much darker without the twinkling of Christmas lights, doesn’t it? January can feel like a letdown after the excitement of the holiday season, making it easy to overlook its quiet beauty.
But it turns out, the stillness of January lends itself perfectly to renewal and refreshment—especially when it comes to our sleep.
Winter: The Perfect Time to Get Your Beauty Sleep
Why?
The holiday season is hectic and stressful, often ending with late nights on New Year’s Eve. For me, last year it was followed by an early morning to attend the Rose Parade! Thankfully, the longer winter nights naturally lend themselves to more sleep, giving our bodies the rest they need.
How?
- Create a sleep sanctuary: Set up the perfect conditions for rest. According to Good Housekeeping, a supportive mattress and soft, breathable sheets can make a dramatic difference in the quality of your sleep. Investing in these basics can turn your bedroom into a peaceful haven.
- Take advantage of early nightfall: Go to bed earlier and let your body sync with the season.
- Incorporate Sleep Psalms: Make Sleep Psalms: Nightly Moments of Mindfulness and Rest part of your bedtime routine.
Once you’ve set the stage for rest, Sleep Psalms is a gentle way to guide your mind toward peace each night.
Sleep Psalms: Nightly Moments of Mindfulness and Rest
This devotional by Pray.com (provided to me for review by DaySpring) covers the first 100 psalms — one psalm for each night. Each night begins with a short devotional that helps shift your focus from daily worries to God and His promises of peace and protection.
Next, the psalm of the night is presented (Psalm 1 for Night 1, and so on), followed by a nightly prayer using the ACTS method:
- A – Adoration
- C – Confession
- T – Thanksgiving
- S – Supplication
What I loved most about this devotional was the encouragement to rest in the knowledge that God can handle our burdens. The gentle reminders that we don’t need to lie awake trying to solve everything ourselves were comforting.
The psalm of the day provides confirmation for why we can trust God with our concerns, and the closing prayer ties everything together, summarizing the lesson beautifully.
Because Sleep Psalms is designed for 100 nights, I recommend starting over after finishing to continue the practice throughout the year. A companion journal can also be helpful for reflecting on your thoughts or prayers.
Making Rest a Priority
You can make intentional rest a priority this January. Pair Sleep Psalms with a cozy sleep sanctuary — soft sheets, a supportive mattress, and a quiet, calming space — to fully unwind each night and give your cares to God.
To make your winter nights even more inviting, I’ve curated my favorite cozy bedding and sleep essentials in my Cozy Winter Sleep Essentials collection. These simple touches help create a peaceful space where you can pray, reflect, and rest.
A little intentional rest can make even the darkest January evenings feel refreshing.
Until next time, stay beautiful…
Disclaimer: Some of the links in this post are affiliate links. This means I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links, at no extra cost to you. I only share products I personally recommend or find helpful. See full disclosure here.
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