Since my very first baby was born, sleep and I have had a pretty rocky relationship. It’s not just being up all night with babies (and then toddlers…) it’s also the sick kids, the worrying and the downright busyness that keeps me from getting the sleep I need.
We all know how precious each MINUTE of sleep is to moms and how we are always needing more of it.
My husband can fall asleep in under five minutes, while I can often take more than an hour to actually drift off to sleep.
I have done a lot of trial and error to figure out some tools to help me sleep better and fall asleep faster.
Coffee
It’s counter intuitive, but this is one of the first things that I found is essential to helping me sleep. My husband love perfecting his coffee brewing skills, so we started having coffee in the evenings. When he skipped a few nights I realized that I had been sleeping so much better with the coffee. I was suddenly back to tossing and turning and taking an hour to fall asleep without my nightly cup of coffee.
Sound crazy? I know most of us look to coffee to wake us up in the morning, and I do too. While it does wake us up… it also focuses the mind. If you find your mind racing at night and can’t sleep because of it, coffee might help you too. I’ve found it helps me focus on just one thing so my mind isn’t racing and I’m able to settle in to sleep.
No nighttime snacking
While I just happened to figure out how coffee helps me sleep, there’s something else I was doing naturally that was actually sabotaging my chances at getting good sleep. Snacking before bed is a huge no-no if you want to sleep better. If you’ve just eaten then even if you are asleep your body is still working hard to digest the food instead of just resting. Snack a few hours before bed instead of right before sleeping and see if your quality of sleep improves too!
Nighttime mode
Avoiding screens for an hour or two before bed can also help you fall asleep faster. While most of us know to turn netflix off and read a good book before bed, what you might not know is that your iphone has a handy “night mode” that can help if you need to be checking your phone at night. Simple swipe up from your home screen and click “night shift” to the on button. It changes the light to something that’s easier on your eyes and won’t disturb your future sleep as much. You can even go to setting and set it to turn on automatically at a certain time every night.
Sleep plants
Did you know that there are plants that can help you sleep better? I didn’t until I watched this video. This is still one on my to-try list. I need these plants in my room asap! Watch the video below for more info.
5 Plants For Your Beddroom To Help You Sleep Better
We have this one next to our bed and it has made a huge difference. http://amzn.to/2mgo4hs
Posted by Power of Positivity on Monday, February 20, 2017
Strict bedtime
Honestly? I’m the worst at this. I have the hardest time keeping a consistent bedtime, but it always helps my energy levels when I do. Even if it’s a late bedtime for night owls like me, having consistency in what time you go to bed and what time you wake up is SUPER important.
What about you? Do you have things you’ve found that help you sleep better? PLEASE SHARE in the comments, I’d love to have more tips!!!
Brittany says
I alternate between various hot teas, (chamomile, and one called rooibos work wonders) and decaf coffee. I also turn my brightness down on my phone almost all the way. I’m guilty of playing on my phone in my bed :/
Polly says
Luckily, there are a lot of cool supplements out there now that will help you feel much better. Omega fatty acids https://www.amazon.in/Prorganiq-Capsules-1000mg-Softgels-Supplement/dp/B0BM9TSZMS are incredibly important for health. They have many important benefits for brain and body health.
Amanda Woods says
I read your blog post on the connection between coffee and sleep, and I found it quite insightful. It’s amazing how our daily habits, like our caffeine intake, can have a significant impact on our overall health, including our mental well-being.
In addition to the effects on sleep, it’s worth mentioning that our lifestyle choices can also play a crucial role in our mental health. Maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle is essential for not only improving our physical health but also supporting our mental well-being.
If you’re interested in exploring the relationship between health and mental health further, you might want to check out this resource: https://calmerry.com/ because it offers a range of online counseling and therapy services that can be beneficial for those looking to enhance their mental health and overall well-being. Their professional therapists can provide valuable guidance on managing stress, anxiety, and other mental health challenges, while emphasizing the importance of a holistic approach to health.
It’s great to see content that highlights the interconnectedness of our habits and how they influence our health, both physically and mentally. Keep up the fantastic work!