When it comes to your children, you are the queen of simple routines to help get them to sleep. Reading bedtime stories, preparing warm milk, tucking them in, and kissing their little cheeks is all a part of the daily job as a Mommy. But when it comes to healthy bedtime habits, what about you, Mama? Do you have a bedtime routine to help you wind down after a long and stressful day? Bedtime habits for moms are just as important as they are for anyone else.
Healthy bedtime habits are just as important for mom as they are for the kids.
Before kids, you could stay up all night binge-watching your favorite show, then go to work the next morning. Some women may not admit it, but after the first baby things change. You sleep when you can, hoping and praying the baby will sleep just a little bit longer. Now as a busy mom, getting a full eight hours of uninterrupted sleep seems like a dream. If you are lacking in the sleep department, creating healthy bedtime habits can help.
Bedtime habits help you to sleep better at night and set you up to have a better tomorrow. A good bedtime routine will ease you from the tension and stress of the day while helping you to unwind and fall into a deep sleep when your head hits the pillow. Just like any routine, you have to do what works best for you and your family – so be willing to experiment when it comes to new schedules and routines.
Regular periods of sleep are key to a healthy body and a clear mind.
Moms have the responsibility of keeping the house in order and running smoothly. For you to function as the best version of yourself, you have to take care of yourself. The best way to practice self-care is to ensure you are getting enough sleep at night. When you are able to sleep well, you wake up refreshed and energized, ready to complete everything that has to be done. These healthy bedtime habits for moms will help you relax, unwind, and prepare you to face whatever tomorrow throws your way.
7 Healthy Bedtime Habits for Moms
1. Develop a nighttime routine and stick to it. The National Sleep Foundation recommends going to bed around the same time every night helps your body get the best sleep possible. Just as our children thrive on routines and schedules, so do we. Develop an evening routine for the family and stick to it. My family’s nighttime routine starts at 7:00 pm, and we are all in bed by 9:00 pm.
2. Take care of your body. Your mind isn’t the only thing that has to settle down at bedtime. Preparing your body for rest is an overlooked yet crucial healthy bedtime habit for mom. Brushing your teeth, stretching, taking a bath, and removing your makeup at the end of the day are all important to the health and care of your body. Practicing good hygiene and caring for your physical health is the perfect way to wind down and relax before going to sleep.
3. Start to wind down an hour before you get into the bed. Your body needs time to shift into sleep mode, so choose calming activities to do in the evening. Try to avoid working out, caffeine, and eating to help prepare your body to wind down.
4. Create a comfortable sleep environment. To ensure a good night’s sleep, make sure your bed and mattress are comfortable and supportive. I like to sleep with a body pillow for maximum comfort. Assess your sleeping situation. Are your pillows and sheets in good condition or do they need to be replaced? Is your mattress supportive or is it time for a new one? (Keep in mind that the life expectancy of a good quality mattress is 9 or 10 years).
5. Think good thoughts. Praying and journaling before bed help to calm my mind after a long day. With the chaos of life always demanding your attention, it is a good habit to practice turning off the noise and relaxing your mind before bed. The bible tells us to think on good things (Philippians 4:8). Going to bed with light thoughts and a heart of gratefulness makes for a great night’s sleep.
6. Turn off the screens. Electronic devices stimulate the brain, making it harder to fall asleep and stay asleep. The blue light emitted from TVs, cell phones and tablets help to keep you awake and alert. Turn your phone on “do not disturb” and don’t accept any phone calls after 8:00 pm. To avoid scrolling social media in the middle of the night, don’t sleep with your phones or tablets in your bedroom.
7. Go to bed on time. Go to bed shortly after you put the kids to bed. If your little ones are anything like mine, they need 1000% of your attention while they are awake, so you will need all the sleep you can get. As you rest, your body recharges and renews itself for the day ahead. Do yourself a favor and get as much sleep as you can while you can.
*If you are a busy mom that struggles with sleeping at night, please speak with your doctor or consult a sleep professional to help you better evaluate your sleeping habits.
I hope this helps!
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