Late Nights, Leftovers, and Laundry: How to Reset Your Sleep Schedule After Vacation

The holidays are over. The menus have been cleared, the dishes stacked, and the guests have finally left — or maybe you left, traveling back home with souvenirs, sugar highs, and a suitcase full of laundry. Somehow, after weeks of late nights, irregular meals, endless socializing, and flights of fancy that rarely included actual sleep, we’re now staring at the calendar and thinking, “It’s time to get back to normal.”

And yet… Most of us don’t.

We want to get back into our routines, to have dinner on time, to sleep at a reasonable hour, to exercise, to feel like ourselves again. But wanting to doesn’t always translate into feeling like it. I saw a line recently that really stuck with me: “Don’t mistake wanting to for feeling like it.” Wanting to get back into your normal routine doesn’t mean you’ll suddenly feel like it. Motivation and energy often lag behind desire, especially after weeks of chaos and indulgence. But here’s the good news: action leads to feeling, not the other way around.

The first morning back often hits like a ton of bricks. You wake up to piles of laundry, leftover food, and a succah that needs to come down. The house is quiet — for a moment — and then reality sneaks in: there’s work, errands, school, and life itself waiting for you. It’s a lot. After a few weeks of late nights, holiday treats, and irregular schedules, your body is craving rest… and your mind is screaming “not yet!”

During the holidays, our days rarely follow a predictable rhythm. Meals are irregular, snacks are constant, coffee might be consumed at midnight, and naps sneak in whenever we can. Exercise often gets postponed or skipped altogether, and sometimes the only outdoor exposure is running from the car to the nearest buffet table. Kids are on schedules that make no sense to anyone, and adults find themselves asking: “Did I really just eat cake for breakfast?” By the end of the holidays, everyone’s internal clocks are off, and it can feel impossible to return to normal life.

Then reality hits. Post-holiday mornings are sluggish, the house looks like it survived a mild tornado, and everyone is cranky. Parents often say, “I can’t wait to get back to routine!” Yet when it’s time to do it, we hesitate. We tell ourselves we need downtime, rest, and a little recovery — which is true — but there’s a difference between rest and inactivity. Too much of the latter keeps us in a rut, delaying sleep recovery, energy restoration, and the rhythm we all crave.

So, how do you reset your sleep schedule after vacation and get back into a normal routine, even when you don’t feel like it? Start with the basics: sleep, meals, and light.

Naps may feel necessary after late nights and travel, but they can actually prolong the adjustment period. Skipping daytime sleep, even when everyone is groggy, helps the body feel natural tiredness at night. Children may protest, and adults may grumble, but the system will recalibrate faster if you resist the urge to nap. Think of it as a reboot — temporary discomfort for long-term benefit.

Meals are another anchor for routine. After weeks of snacks at odd hours, leftover desserts, and extra cups of coffee, hunger cues are all out of whack. Eating at regular times reminds the body that it can rely on structure again. And yes, that means no late-night cake, no stealthy bites of leftover kugel, and no extra coffee just because it “feels necessary.” Your kids need this reset as much as you do. The first few days may feel challenging, but consistency is the key.

Evening routines require patience. I hear from parents constantly: “I put my kids to bed at seven the night after Yom Tov, but three hours later they were still up!” Don’t panic. Their bodies are used to staying awake until midnight, and they won’t suddenly feel sleepy at the old pre-holiday bedtime. Ease them back gradually: perhaps start with a later bedtime, like nine o’clock, and slowly move it earlier over a few nights. A small melatonin boost for a couple of nights can also help. This isn’t about perfection — it’s about progress.

Light exposure and movement are also crucial. Step outside, breathe fresh air, and soak up natural sunlight. Even a short walk to run errands, a brisk stroll with the kids, or a quick trip to the mailbox works wonders. Your body uses daylight to reset its internal clock, signaling that it’s time to feel awake during the day and tired at night. Plus, in the crisp fall air, it’s a great opportunity to shake off holiday lethargy, clear your mind, and get your muscles moving again.

Mornings matter too. Once school starts, resist letting the kids sleep in excessively. They’ll complain and groan, and you may even find yourself negotiating extra minutes under the covers. But consistent wake-up times are essential to recalibrating the body’s sleep rhythm. Even if mornings are rough at first, your children will adapt more quickly than you think. Early mornings plus consistent bedtime equals a smoother, more predictable routine for everyone.

Throughout this process, remember: the hardest part isn’t wanting to reset your sleep schedule — that part comes naturally. The hard part is taking action even when you don’t feel ready. Don’t mistake wanting to for feeling like it. Wanting is the seed, but doing is what grows the habit, restores rhythm, and leads to restful nights and energized mornings.

The holidays may have thrown your sleep schedule for a loop, but they don’t have to define the weeks ahead. By taking intentional steps, even when you don’t feel ready, you’ll find yourself back in rhythm faster than you expect. Your children will adjust too, and the household that looked like a tornado hit it a few days ago will slowly return to calm. Wanting to sleep well is a great start — but doing it is what really counts.

If you feel like you need more help navigating your sleep, please book a complimentary call here. And if you want to hear more tips for helping your children sleep better, check out my blog: How to Help Your Child Self-Soothe at Night.