Sleep is a time to heal our bodies. To restore our minds. But, yet in our culture today, it seems that we are getting less and less of it.
I’m not gonna lie. Sleep for me is everything. I’ve concluded that I need 8.5 hours or I’ve wake up grumpy. And, no one wants #scarymommy rolling out of bed in the morning.
I’ve concluded that I need 8.5 hours or I’ve wake up grumpy. And, no one wants #scarymommy rolling out of bed in the morning.
Everyone functions differently on different amounts of sleep, but you likely know the right amount for you. And, getting the right amount affects our mood, the way that we eat, our patience, and productivity.
The cycle
When we don’t sleep well, one side effect is anxiety. But, conversely, when we are anxious, we tend not to sleep well. I know this cycle all too well. I think I was traumatized after twins with needing sleep… but anyway…
I had twins almost a decade ago, and I am still recovering from the sleep deprivation trauma.
I’ve literally never been so exhausted in my life. People tell me they are tired, and I usually politely nod, but I am thinking in my head, “You don’t know what tired is.”
But, despite my twins growing up and my ability to get a full night’s sleep eventually, I was still having trouble sleeping.
I struggled with anxiety. I would fall asleep fine, but if I woke up in the middle of the night, I would be up for hours with my mind racing.
If that happens to you, my question for you is “what is on your mind?” are you worried, stressed, excited?
It was only until I was able to get my anxiety under control and start dealing with issues that were going on during the day, that I was able to resolve my sleep problems.
7 Tips for Your Best Night’s Sleep
- Download your thoughts. I keep a notebook by my bed to write any last minute thoughts so that I am not thinking about them all night and they are not keeping me awake. It seems that when our mind starts to slow down we start getting our best ideas.
- Have a consistent routine. Going to bed at the same time each night, and waking up at the same time each morning will train your body to sleep during those set hours.
- Unplug. Shut down electronics for a period of time before bed. Many times scrolling through emails or social media right before bed can trigger our minds. Even the light from the screen can interrupt our process of winding down.
- Communicate. I recommend talking to your spouse for 15 minutes before bed with no phones, no TV, no distractions. This is a time to go over the day. It doesn’t have to include anything heavy, but it is simply time to have a conversation sans kids.
- Morning Routine. What you do in the morning when you wake up is just as important as what you do before bed. When you go to bed knowing that your morning is organized, you can rest easier. And, check out this post to see my morning routine.
- Reset yourself. If you wake up in the middle of the night and you can’t fall back asleep within 30 minutes, get up and read or get a cup of tea and then go back to sleep. Tossing and turning will only create more stress.
- Active meditation. You can try counting your breaths. Count up to 20 and backward to one, visualizing the numbers as you go.
Sleep for success
Making sleep a priority will create success in all aspects of your life. Your body and mind need the rest.
So, if you are having trouble sleeping, discover what it is that is keeping you up.
My guess is that you probably already know what it is. You know your triggers.
Check out this video and comment below if you try these tips!
PS — If you want to learn how to use your breath to calm your mind before bed, download this FREE Breathing Exercise Tutorial now. Sweet dreams ❤
Bridgette is Founder and CEO of Mommy Needs a Timeout. She empowers moms to reconnect with their identities OUTSIDE of being a mom, without the guilt.
Originally published at www.bridgettepetrino.com on March 13, 2017.
Originally published at medium.com