Written by: Ryan Robertson

Sleep! We often don’t get enough of it yet we always talk about it…well that and money of course. The great thing about getting more sleep is that is more easily obtain than more money. Contrary to popular belief, being tired all the time is not just something you should get “used to” whether you have children or not. In fact if you have children you should be working toward getting more sleep in order to be a healthier and more energized parent/human being.

Better sleep can provide us with numerous benefits with the most obvious one being more refreshed and well rested and ready to attack the day head on.  Sleep is the bodies time to repair and regenerate from the day. For our bodies it serves as time to repair damage from a workout or daily living. Studies have shown those with more sleep tend to have a reduced risks of common illnesses and diseases such as diabetes and heart disease. It can also lead to better digestion, reduced headaches, and enable a person the ability to maintain a healthier weight. For our mental state it serves as a way to de-stress and clear your brain after a full day of being attentive. Good sleep has been shown to neutralize the release of cortisol, the stress hormone that has been linked to anxiety and depression. Along with your diet, sleep plays a vital role in getting you ready to hit the ground running.

 The quality of the sleep you get is also very important and arguably more important than just the quantity of sleep. Sleep with constant interruptions does not allow your body to fully reap the benefits of the rest you get and robs the bodies ability to recover during sleep.  A deeper sleep is the absolute best way to get the most out of your time at rest. This allows your body to fully complete sleep cycles without having to stop and restart. Often when you are interrupted it is difficult to get back to a deeper sleep.

Of course this sounds good and well but with the changes of the seasons and family life this can lead to more difficulties for adequate sleep. Here are a few things you can try:

1) Keep a consistent sleep schedule.

Try to go to bed around the same time each night. This will allow the body to get in a rhythm for you to go to bed quicker and reach deep sleep faster.

2) Wake up early.

This one is especially for family people. Many times the kiddos need, want, and take up your time once you’re home from an exhausting day. You probably put them to bed and then do what you must do after the day has done its number on you. If possible try to go to bed close to their bedtimes and wake up before they normally do. This way, you can take care of things you need to do around the house or want to do for yourself before the day starts. In the evening, you’ll have time to rest knowing that things around the house are taken care of before that all day meeting dampens your energy levels.

3) Create the great environment

Make sure your bedroom is a place you feel relaxed.  Try to keep your tech in the bedroom at a minimum and keep your screen time low. Make sure this is a place you can dial down and get some “sleep and quiet”.

If you have been getting great sleep you my try these steps to improve on the sleep you’ve already been accustom to. If you haven’t been getting the typical 7 or 8 hours your body and mind will appreciate the upgrade.