Insomnia. Sleep apnea. Night terrors. General anxiety.
Any number of issues can keep you awake at night. If you suspect that you’re having trouble sleeping because of a medical condition, you should talk with your doctor. But if your lack of sleep is thanks to hyperactive kids or a racing mind, keep reading!
Guests from the Bedtime Network and a great group of bloggers shared their best sleep suggestions in The Motherhood today, and we’ve picked our top 10 favorite tips to share with you.
1.) Don’t caffeinate after noon. “Avoid coffee and other caffeinated drinks after 12 in the afternoon. It can take nine hours or more for the body to digest caffeine,” said Lisa Mercurio of the Bedtime Network.
2.) Take advantage of your kids’ natural sleepiness. With the kids asleep, you have more time to relax and unwind before your own bedtime. “I’m always trying to catch the kids when they are at that ‘just right for sleep’ moment!” said Stephanie of Mamma Bear’s World.
3.) If that fails, manufacture some sleepiness. “I used to give my boys milk every night before bed. It was a great way to have an excuse to also sit down and cuddle (can’t run around w/a cup of milk in your hand!)” said Amanda of Parenting by Dummies.
4.) Unplug. “Just remember that when the kids are finally in bed not to use your down time diving into technology, as this can further make you feel that your day has not ended,” said Nyiri Grigorian of the Bedtime Network. “Technology and staying plugged in is one of the major problems with having a smooth transition to sleep. It also deprives us of much needed alone time before bed.”
5.) Clear your mind. “I try to meditate before I go to bed for at least 5-10 minutes,” said Kayla. “It’s hard at first because you keep thinking about things, but come back to the quiet and it starts to get easier!”
6.) Watch what you eat – and drink. “Try to avoid alcohol. It’s not a relaxer. It’s actually a stimulant,” said Lisa of the Bedtime Network. “Also, sleeping on a full stomach leads to a bad night’s sleep.”
7.) Create a bedtime ritual. “I like to turn off the lights, play soft music on Pandora and light candles,” suggested Shannon of Potamus Prefers.
8.) Wind down with the family pet. “One thing that does help me to really relax at night is spending time petting our dog,” said Amanda of Parenting by Dummies. “She’s sooooo soothing when she cuddles up on the floor by my feet!”
9.) Tune into white noise. To drown out irritating nighttime sounds like a snoring partner, “I do have an air purifier next to my side of the bed, and that humming helps out some,” said Stephanie of Goober Monkey.
10.) Sleep elsewhere if you need to. “Sometimes my husband can really snore, and I leave the room. It’s not all the time, but it does help!” said Stephanie of Mamma Bear’s World.
We’ll be putting these tips to use in our own bedtime routines!
What helps you fall asleep at night?
Take a Comment. Leave a Comment.