May is Better Sleep Month. According to this article, the average person needs anywhere from 7-9 hours of sleep a night. It is no surprise that the average new mom only gets around half of that a night. I myself only got 5 hours of sleep last night and maybe 3 hours the night before that. I am exhausted, and ladies, motherhood is exhausting and tiring. While I know most nights my children will sleep like logs, there are those handful of times where they are wide awake and alert. Whether you are suffering from lack of sleep from your kiddos or you are just a light-sleeper, I am happy to share these tips for getting a good night’s rest with you.
Establish a Consistent Sleep Schedule
Every person in our home thrives on a consistent bedtime. My children are all in bed by 7:30pm, while my husband and I are in bed by 9pm. We usually wake up around 6am to get ready for school and our work days. This consistent sleep schedule ensures that we all have received our recommended amount of sleep. No cranky kids, or cranky parents for that matter.
Relax Before Sleeping
Before heading to bed, limit any stimulating activities, such as exercise and work. Yes, even electronics. Put away those cell phones, iPads, tablets, etc. and turn the television off. Instead, reach for a relaxing book or take a calming bath. Check out my Pinterest board for some ideas to help you relax.
Create an Optimal Sleeping Environment
I love a dark room with a good diffuser going with some essential oils. Check out my other Pinterest board for some awesome sleepy-time diffuser blends. Soft sheets, a light comforter and a super soft pillow await me every evening. Maybe you like listening to some soothing music or have blackout curtains to block out light on your windows; think about what you can change in your bedroom to create an environment that is best for you to help you relax.
Prioritize a Healthy Lifestyle
Yes, I am going to say this. A healthy lifestyle of good nutrition and exercise can contribute to better sleep. Avoid alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine close to bed time. While some people can get away with consuming alcohol before bed {like me… it makes me sleepy}, it disrupts other people’s sleep cycle.
Set an Optimal Bedroom Temperature
Keeping your bedroom cool at night helps your body produce melatonin and make it easier for you to drift off to sleep. Try bumping the temperature down between 60-68 degrees. Any less and you will be too cold. Any higher and you will be too hot.
In a perfect world, each one of us would be sleeping soundly in our beds every night and not be bothered by anyone or anything. However, we do not live in a perfect world. Kids get out of bed for many reasons {some more annoying than others}. As much as I love my sleep, I keep telling myself that my children are only little for a small amount of time. So love on them and enjoy those sleep-less nights, because tomorrow, they are one day older. So pour yourself a cup of coffee {or two or three, I won’t judge} and be thankful for them.