5 Things You Need to Know to Become a Morning Person

We can all rejoice in the fact that studies say sleeping in on the weekend is a good thing, but if you want to avoid napping at work, taking steps to become an early bird can help make your weekday extra productive. When hitting the snooze button (over and over) is easier than waking up for an a.m. HIIT workout, where do you start? We called up Denise Limongello, a licensed psychotherapist and wellness expert, to help get you out of bed and on your feet before your alarm goes off for the third (or fourth or fifth) time. Night owls, it’s as easy as the five steps below.

1. Make breakfast bigger than lunch. Studies show that people who say it’s difficult to wake up in the morning often skip breakfast and have a large lunch as their first meal of the day. Well, turns out that’s not a great order of events. Denise says, “Reversing the order and making breakfast your larger meal can have health benefits, as well as help you get into the routine of waking up earlier. Prepping food the night before will make it easy and enticing to start nibbling right when you wake up.” You’ll definitely want to get out of bed for these make-ahead breakfasts.

2. Reward yourself. “Choosing a reward for yourself in advance to treat yourself with after you’ve succeeded at waking up earlier can actually help you to succeed as you’re trying to create this new habit,” says Denise. “Rewards can also lead to elevated mood and increased productivity,” she says. Bonus. We’re thinking a glass of wine at the end of the day, a pedicure or a nice long bubble bath sound like pretty good rewards to us.

3. Pump up the jams. Throwing on some tunes can get you through the toughest workouts and the latest Saturday nights. And it turns out that music is also a great way to get yourself up and moving in the a.m. too. Denise adds, “Music can have tremendous value for improving mood and increasing energy. Cuing up your alarm clock to blast your favorite tunes may help you to get out of bed earlier. Prepare a playlist of songs that you particularly associate with good times to help with the chore of pulling yourself out of bed early.”

4. Eat more salmon. “Salmon, according to research, might be an excellent idea for gaining energy quickly in the morning. Salmon is high in essential omega-3 fatty acids, which are often associated with increased brain activity and improved circulation,” notes Denise. Try swapping out your cereal for a salmon omelet or adding lox and bagels to your morning menu.

5. Embrace your guilty pleasures. Research shows that many people often enjoy the rituals associated with a guilty pleasure, such as a favorite TV show at night (looking at you Bachelor empire). Denise suggests using that feeling to your advantage. “Moving your enjoyed ritual to the morning, instead of at night, can be a great incentive to try to wake up earlier and make your mornings last longer. Who says your indulgences have to happen at the end of the day? Moving your personal routines to the morning may be enormously valuable for getting you up earlier and making your days more productive.”

Tweet us your tips for becoming a morning person @BritandCo!

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If you've been struggling to get enough sleep, new TikTok viral wellness trend — 'sleepmaxxing' — wants to help. We'd give anything to stop dealing with insomnia, middle-of-the-night wakeup calls, and overall sleep anxiety. But does this trend work? And more importantly, are all these social media tips safe for you to try?

Dr. Ankur Bindal, MD, MPH, FAPA, FAASM can tell you better than we can given his board certification in psychiatry, from American Board of Psychiatry & neurology. In addition to being the founder of the KAB Medical Group Inc. in San Diego, he's also a board certified sleep medicine practitioner who's seen firsthand how a lack of rest can affect our overall wellbeing.

TL;DR

  • Sleepmaxxing is a TikTok trend that's focused on setting yourself up for the best night of sleep possible.
  • While sleep masks and other tangible efforts to get comfortable in bed are great, you mainly want to make sure you're making healthy choices before bed like avoiding your phone.
  • Adults should aim for seven to nine hours of sleep each night.
  • Eliminate too much light in your bedroom, avoid screen time, and establish consistent sleeping and waking times.

What is sleepmaxxing?

KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA

If you're confused about sleepmaxxing, you're not alone — it's really not a straightforward term. It reminds us of what Will Ferrell said in Blades of Glory: "No one knows what it means but it's provocative...gets the people going." However, it actually has a meaning, and Dr. Bindal succinctly breaks it down. "Sleepmaxxing is the art and science of optimizing one's sleep and achieving the best possible quality & quantity of sleep by addressing every factor that can disrupt sleep," he says. This can look like using ear plugs, sleep masks, establishing specific sleep rituals, or anything else that is soothing and helpful.

Mainly, if you actually want to maximize your sleep, then you need to focus on what you do before you go to bed. Unbeknownst to us at times, our bedtime habits can affect the kind of rest we get (or not) at night. Dr. Bindal says, "Optimal Sleep hygiene methodologies including limiting light and sound exposure to using the latest sleep gadgets so sleepmaxxing aims to enhance sleep quality to the fullest." Unfortunately this means our habit of binge watching shows or scrolling mindlessly on TikTok at night aren't helping us.

I mean, according to the American Academy of Sleep Medicine, 35% of those surveyed have their sleep interrupted by lights inside of their homes. That's just lights, sans repetitious social media sounds and compelling television plots. When you add those on top of it all...let's just say we really are not doing ourselves any favors.

How does getting the proper amount of rest aid in our overall wellbeing?

Ahmed ツ

Now that you have a better idea of what sleepmaxxing is, we have to talk about why it matters. Dr. Bindal says getting the "proper amount of sleep" helps support" the following "various bodily functions" including, but not limited to:

  • Brain health — Enhanced cognition in domains of learning, concentration and consolidating memory by promoting phenomenon of hippocampal plasticity
  • Immune system function — A production of essential immune cells, better equipped to fighting off infections
  • Hormone regulation — A regulation of mood and reduced stress and physical repair that promotes muscle recovery, tissue repair, and overall physical development

He further explains that hormone regulation eventually leads to "improved mood, concentration, energy levels, and reduced risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and diabetes."

Basically, the health benefits of slowing down and going to sleep outweigh what society often pushes — staying up later, longer and hustling at all hours of the day and night.

On average, how many hours of sleep are recommended?

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How much rest are you truly getting at night? If you ask America's Health Rankings, 35% of adults are getting less than seven hours of sleep. Dr. Bindal says that while adults should sleep between seven and nine hours every night, and there are health risks for those who don't. "Research corroborates that adults who sleep less than seven hours a night may have more health issues than those who do," he explains. Johns Hopkins Medicinefound that sleep deprivation can lead to a "36% increased risk for colorectal cancer," propensity for developing type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and an overall lower immune system.

Saying "I'll sleep when I'm dead," may sound like a joke, but there's nothing funny about not letting your body get the rest it needs to function.

Should people with sleep difficulties try sleepmaxxing?

Marcus Aurelius

There are several reasons why your sleep could be negatively impacted right now. You may be dealing with insomnia due to stress, depression, or being a new parent. According to the American Psychological Association, 43% of people believe being stressed contributes to their lack of sleep. Furthermore, these same people have noticed their mood has shifted. The same reports shows that 45% of people who are getting less than the recommended hours of sleep have shared they feel on edge more than others while 52% have noticed they've been taking their frustrations out on those in their household.

Dr. Bindal agrees that sleepmaxxing can greatly benefit you if you're struggling because it can "enhance sleep quality to the fullest and emphasizes the importance of optimal sleep health."

How does sleepmaxxing benefit us?

Pavel Danilyuk

Clearly, you need a certain amount of sleep to function properly and achieve all those goals you've so intentionally set recently (hello, October Theory!). That's where sleepmaxxing can come in. Dr. Bindal says, "Improved sleep quality can lead to enhanced mental clarity and emotional stability, making it easier to navigate daily challenges."

If you're planning to change a few habits, you're going to need all the strength and focus you can access because change isn't always easy — even if you welcome it! So when you're implementing these new nighttime routines, be sure to stick to them. Turn your phone on Do Not Disturb, avoid the itch to scroll socials, and make sure you're able to properly relax. It can make all the difference in the world!

How can we incorporate sleepmaxxing in our bedtime routines?

KATRIN BOLOVTSOVA

If you don't know how to make sleepmaxxing work for you, Dr. Bindal has great suggestions! "Key techniques include optimizing your sleep environment, establishing a consistent sleep schedule, and managing stress and anxiety," he suggests.

One of the key ways you can make sure your room will promote a good night's sleep is by "adjusting the temperature" or "practicing a relaxation exercises before bed," he says. While meditation and mindfulness may be relaxation exercises that take practice over time, choosing the correct temperature is an easy way to set yourself up for success. Everyone's different, but he truly believes your room should be between 65 and 69 degrees Fahrenheit, too.

As Dr. Bindal mentioned before, eliminating sources of light can also aid in the rest you get. Personally, I can't sleep with the TV or lights on anymore because I just know it interrupts my sleep. My room is usually pitch black when it's time to go to sleep — to the point my three-year-old knows what it means when I turn everything off.

Besides these things, Dr. Bindal encourages you to maintain "consistent sleep and wake times" along with a "balanced diet and regular physical activity." Whether that means you start making your own Cava bowls inspired by the blue zone diet or doing workouts at home, they can aid in helping your body repair itself which then promotes the sleep you need.

Can we become too hyper-focused on our quality of sleep?

Kevin Malik

As with anything, too much of something can have adverse affects which rules out any benefits. Though sleepmaxxing can be a good thing for you, becoming fixated on it is likely going to make you even more stressed. "One of the primary concerns with sleepmaxxing is the development of orthosomnia, a condition caused by an obsession with tracking sleep metrics, with devices or apps, which increases anxiety and can further disrupt sleep, called paradoxical insomnia," Dr. Bindal warns.

If you become too obsessed with tracking every little thing, he says all this will do is "disrupt sleep cycles and limit the efficacy of insomnia treatments." But, he has an idea of what you can do to lessen the chance that'll happen. "Instead of over-analyzing how much sleep you’re getting, it’s important to understand that insomnia is a common and treatable condition, by incorporating healthy sleep hygiene routines organically and focusing on addressing the root causes of insomnia symptoms," he shares.

How can we optimize our sleep without getting sucked into wellness trends?

Niels from Slaapwijsheid.nl

Whether you want to call it sleepmaxxing or not, all you have to do is normalize the tips Dr. Bindal mentioned above. "Some of the ways can include established a consistent sleep schedule, creating a relaxing bedtime routine, managing light exposure, and limiting screen time before you want to go to sleep," he reiterates. Social media isn't going anywhere so don't let your FOMO convince you that potential scandals or tutorials are more important than getting seven to nine hours of sleep.

Also, don't forget to "maintain a comfortable sleep environment" while being aware of your "caffeine and alcohol intake throughout the day," Dr. Bindal points out. Something tells us that we're going to have to be intentional about breaking up with our daily coffee runs and desires to unwind with a nice glass of wine. But if it means we'll sleep better, we'll add that to our list of habits to change!

Need an extra dose of positivity in your life? We have even more lifestyle tips to share to help you end the year on a healthy and wholesome note!

Ben Affleck and Jennifer Garner may have split back in 2015, but they're spending an awfully lot of time together as of late. Ben's latest divorce from Jennifer Lopez was the split heard 'round the world this summer, after giving us the ever-enigmatic 'Bennifer 2.0' and its whirlwind marriage. However, we would be lying if we didn't say we were so sad when he and our favorite 13 Going On 30star ended things almost a decade ago.

Jen and Ben share three children together, and have found a way to successfully co-parent together. But could they be back on their way to finding something more? These two seem to be out and about together quite a lot lately, and it's got us thinking: could Ben reunite with yet another Jennifer from his past? Here's what's going on!

Everything you need to know about Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner's latest outings together!

Page Sixreported that Jennifer and Ben were driving out in LA together this weekend, ultimately grabbing bagels and heading back to Ben's place. This outing comes after a source shared with PEOPLE that Jen and Ben are actually spending the holidays together this year.

"Jen truly just wants her kids to be happy. She will continue to make sure that they spend time together as a family and include Ben," the source said. "They have Christmas plans with the kids too. The kids enjoy when they all spend time together."

Christmas isn't the only holiday this former family of five will share this year. They all spent Thanksgiving together as well, and a source told Page Sixthat Ben Affleck "felt blessed" for that time together. Apparently, Ben feels like he "can just be himself" when he's with her. “Even though Ben and Jen have been split for a while now, he feels a certain level of comfort with her," the source said. “Ben has a strong relationship with Jen that will never dissipate because they have a lot of history together and she’s the mother of his kids.”

Pascal Le Segretain/Getty Images

Meanwhile, another source shared with PEOPLEthat Jen, Ben, and their kids all worked together at The Midnight Mission's Thanksgiving Street Fair this year. The source said, “They truly enjoy giving back to their community and cherishing quality time together as a family."

Right now, Jen's technically still dating John Miller, according to PEOPLE. However, we'd be remiss not to notice how close the former couple is at the moment. Could there be rekindled feelings? Is this the REAL second chance love story we deserve? Is it really just about the mutual respect these two have for each other — and their family? Definitely keeping an eye on this space to see what happens next!

Regardless of their romantic relationship status, it's honestly so nice to see Ben spending time with his family at the holidays. Thankfully his highly dramatized relationship with Jennifer Lopez didn't seem to harm any goodwill Ben has with his kids and ex-wife, and there's something really lovely about that! So, here's hoping this modern family has a happy, happy holiday season!

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Blake Lively and Ryan Reynolds are the first to admit how difficult parenting can be. The parents of four (James, Inez, Betty, and Olin) have talked about how "chaotic" their home is. "Our kids can’t even go to sleep unless they’re in our bed,” Reynolds told Amanda Hirsch during the July 30 episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast. “As much as I’d say I’d love to spread out and fall asleep normally," he adds, "I withhold that.”

Brit + Co

Co-sleeping, or sharing a bed with your kids, might be the talk of the town right now, but it's actually been around for centuries. "Families choose to [co-sleep] for multiple reasons, sometimes simply because they may only have one bed or one bedroom," says Dr. Chafen Hart, a fellowship-trained pediatric sleep specialist at National Jewish Health. "I think while co-sleeping has enjoyed increased discussion, which is important, it is likely the frequency of co-sleeping is the same as ever."

Co-sleeping is most common with younger children (which makes sense considering how strong separation anxiety is for children between 18 months and 3 years), and generally peters out as a child gets older. While some parents choose not to co-sleep because of the risk of SUIDs (Sudden Unexpected Infant Death, which is more common in infants who share a bed with their parents), children can actually sleep better if they do so independently.

Ketut Subiyanto/Pexels

"The parent provides a sleep association which prevents a younger child from effectively napping at daycare or an older child from attending camp or going to a sleepover," Dr. Hart says. "When the child wakes in the middle of the night, they require the parent nearby and touching them to fall back asleep because they have a strong sleep association with co-sleeping."

However, your sleeping arrangements will likely look different from your best friends' or your extended family's because all of your children are different — as are their needs. Sleep issues or significant health issues are just two instances where co-sleeping can actually be beneficial for a child. And if co-sleeping doesn't affect your child at all? Dr. Hart recommends just enjoying the snuggles.

"For families who are content with their arrangement and the child is doing well during the day and has managed to learn the skill of falling asleep independently, I absolutely think they should continue to co-sleep," she says.

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If you're worried your child has become too dependent on co-sleeping as they've aged, or if they can't sleep in their own bed at all, Dr. Hart recommends visiting a sleep doctor, therapist, or psychologist.

"In general, treatment should be personalized for the family and my recommendations change based on the age of the child," she says. "For older children who are neurodevelopmentally typical, rewards and gradual extinction of parental presence can work. For younger children, we employ additional strategies like delayed bedtimes [and] sibling co-sleeping."

I slept in the same bed as my sister growing up, and I remember our late night conversations so fondly. Getting to know each other's personalities, fears, and senses of humor at such a young age only ended up strengthening our relationship!

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Teaching your child to sleep well is vital for their brain and bodily health, but it's also important for parents to get sleep too! And if you're feeling overwhelmed and under-rested, know you're not alone. "Parents should know they are not alone and that co-sleeping should be a part of the conversation with their doctors," Dr. Hart says. "Pediatricians have heard it all! And some children naturally have a MUCH harder time than others learning the skill of sleeping."

Reynardo Etenia Wongso/Unsplash

Setting expectations, habits, and boundaries early (should you choose to do so) will take time and commitment on your part, but it'll teach your kids "the serious skill of falling asleep with confidence."

"Long term good sleep habits and skills mean the school-aged child will be confident, traveling without anxiety around sleep, falling asleep without serious power struggles which stress the whole family and allowing the parents much needed rest time as well," Dr. Hart says. All this talk is making me sleepy — I gotta try our 5 Best Ways To Beat Fatigue!

Read up on 14 Hilarious And True Quotes About Parenting Teens for some laughs.

Read the AAP's 2022 Updated Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment for more.

Lead image via Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty Images

Deep breaths – Daisy Jones And The Six might actually return for Season 2. Even though the Amazon Prime show ended its first season on March 24, fans are demanding more of their favorite band of six, and TBH...we can’t blame them!

The show, which was set to be a limited series with one season, might return for more, according to cast member Josh Whitehouse (Eddie Roundtree). He uploaded a rather cryptic TikTok earlier this year that alluded to a potential second season, but our hopes of seeing a tour were dashed. But, not all hope is lost!

Here's what we know so far.

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Sadly, we won't be getting a Daisy Jones And The Six Tour due to the SAG-AFTRA actors' strike that halted many ongoing and new projects — bummer! Riley Keough took to Instagram to share the gloomy news where Reese Witherspoon commented, "Aghhhh! Still hoping for this live performance.. one day !!"

She's not the only one who's saddened over this news though. Other comments mimicked her sentiments and we can't help but long for what could've been. Let's keep our fingers crossed that someone will give the fans what we want later this year!

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Hm, funny thing happened today 😙🎸🎶🕺🏻🤭 #daisyjonesandthesix

Prior to this, Josh Whitehouse previously captioned an unavailable TikTok video “Just arrived at a rehearsal studio, to, uh, have a band practice with Daisy Jones and the Six. But we already finished the TV show, so why would we be doing that?” Whitehouse questioned.

Taylor Jenkins Reid, the bestselling author and co-producer of Daisy Jones and The Six (who also wrote some of our other favorite books, BTW) has “certainly thought” about a second season.

Reid and Executive Producer Brad Mendelsohn aren’t ruling anything out. “I think we’re in a really fortunate position where we have a story that is final, and has an ending that feels really good,” Reid said in an exclusive interview with Variety. “I would only open that back up if it felt like there was a story here that we have to tell. Have I been thinking about what that is? I certainly have.”

Fans have already flooded social media with demands for more of their favorite ‘70s show.

Daisy Jones and The Six is based on the novel by Jenkins Reid, which is loosely inspired by the tortured IRL romance of Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks and Lindsey Buckingham. The incredibly talented cast also produced an album, AURORA, which we truly cannot stop listening to.

In a TikTok posted by Sam Claflin (Billy Dunne), some of the Daisy Jones crew could be seen in a studio with guitars and mics in hand.

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Cooking.

This mysterious post followed the album “Special Gift to Our Fans,” which included two singles that initially debuted during the show. The releases were, “It Was Always You,” sung by leading lady Daisy Jones (Riley Keough) and a second rendition of “Aurora,” which was performed by the whole band on Saturday Night Live.

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THE RIVER FT SIMONE WHEN?? 💳 💥💳💥💳💥 also whoever authorized this release I hope you live a long, happy life. #daisyjonesandthesix #djats #daisyjones #billydunne #foryou #daisybilly #daisybilly #booktok #rileykeough #djandthesix #samclaflin #itwasalwaysyou #amazonprime

The rumors of a rumored tour circled ever since the show aired, and cast members shared their thoughts on taking the band from TV to real life.

“You know there’s rumblings…I don't know if we have anything in terms of a full tour, but there might be an opportunity for us to get together in places. So if anyone’s looking forward to something like that I’d say just, eh, keep an eye out,” Will Harrison (Graham Dunne) said in an interview. When asked if he received a call about a tour, Harrison replied, “I would absolutely answer the call in a second.”

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Will Harrison tells @saragoretv about an opportunity for “Daisy Jones & The Six” to play live. Plus, he tells us what he thinks about going on tour. #NewYorkLive #WillHarrison #DaisyJones #daisyjonesandthesixshow #daisyjonesandthesix @daisyjonesandthesix

Since an IRL tour isn't happening any time soon, we'll be on the lookout for a second season of our favorite band.

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suki waterhouse bringing out camila morrone at new york n1 AHHH #sukiwaterhouse #camilamorrone #daisyjonesandthesix #concerts #livemusic #newyork #nyc

You know what's better than a tour? Seeing Suki Waterhouse and Camila Morrone unite onstage again! They both looked so freakin' good with Suki wearing a cropped purple fur coat and metallic boots while Camila wore a pink, fur-trimmed, and shimmery number. As far as we can tell, Suki and Camila looked like they were excited to surprise unsuspecting fans.

Comments on the fun clip ranged from "THIS IS SO IMPORTANT TO ME" to "This makes me want to rewatch Daisy Jones for the 4th time." All I can say is something about seeing Suki and Camila share a carefree moment is making my heart smile.

Tell us, Brit + Co readers, what do you think about Daisy Jones and the Six? Do you think a follow up is in our future?

Stay updated on all things entertainment with Brit + Co.

This post has been updated.

The Holiday movie ending might tie the whole story with a perfect bow, but that hasn't stopped fans from hoping for a sequel! (Although, I'm not sure what kind of drama a sequel might bring...and I don't want Iris and Miles OR Amanda and Graham to go through anything else for crying out loud.) The cast has spoken on the idea of a The Holiday sequel more and more in recent years, and good news for any fans of the 2006 movie — the cast is totally open to The Holiday 2!

Here's what The Holiday cast members Kate Winslet, Jude Law, Jack Black, and Cameron Diaz have said about reuniting for a sequel.

'The Holiday' cast would "love" to revisit the characters.

Sony Pictures

It's been almost 20 years since The Holiday premiered and star Jude Law is super interested in seeing what the characters' lives look like in the 2020s. “I’d love to see where they’re at. I’d love to see where they were,” he says on Today. “I’m a yes. You need to check in with everyone else...I'll ask Kate."

“I think Graham still has cardigans and glasses, and reads,” he adds in an interview with E! News. “He’s probably worried sick 'bout the girls, right? The daughters will be 28, 29.”

Kate Winslet has also imagined that, post-The Holiday, Iris and Miles would have settled down and started a family. “It would be so fun to see Miles and Iris get back together,” she told Entertainment Tonight at the premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water in 2022. “I kind of imagine, like, how cute would their children be?…Tiny Jack Blacks running around everywhere.”

And as for her onscreen beau Jack Black? Well, he already has the perfect sequel title idea: “Once in a while, I slide into Nancy Meyers’s DMs and say, ‘Holiday 2: Electric Boogaloo. Anyone with me?’” he joked in a Vanity Fair interview last December.

Cameron Diaz spills on why the original film is so special.

I'm so torn on whether I'd want a sequel to The Holiday because a huge part of its charm, and its nostalgia, is that it's like a time capsule for the early 2000s — and specifically a time right before iPhones and social media changed the world forever. It's a comforting movie to put on that really feels like balm for my soul on days my mind feels heavy. Plus the fact the movie is a standalone film makes it feel more special!

"People look at Nancy's movies as a statement, in a way," Cameron Diaz said in a 2020 interview with Vulture. "It's set in the real world, but it's like, 'Who's getting on first class, and flying, and taking this cute little cottage in the middle of England?' Who gets to do that? You always wish that was you."

"When people watch The Holiday, it's just so aspirational," she continues. "They're like, 'One day, I'll be able to do that.' It's almost like a modern-day Prince Charming, but not a helpless princess. It's more like the fully capable princess who could have whatever she wants, but she can't have it until she breaks open her heart and is vulnerable, and lets in the right man. And not just Prince Charming, but the guy who's actually capable of showing up in all the ways she needs him to."

The Holiday shows that the most important part of, not just the holiday season but life in general, is being surrounded by the people we love. It truly feels like a modern storybook fairytale that proves dreams you were too afraid to wish could actually come true. And THAT's the true magic of Christmas.

Would you want to see a sequel to The Holiday or would you rather the movie remain a standalone film? Let us know in the comments and check out 20 Brand New Christmas Movies To Add To Your Calendar!