Getting Enough Sleep As A Parent

As a parent, you are in a constant state of feeling, well, exhausted. Even if you manage to get into a deep sleep, you may be awoken at 3 am by a little voice; one of your kids who feels sick, or can’t sleep, and so decides that he’s going to lie in the starfish position in the middle of your bed.

Whilst this is part and parcel of being a parent, the issue still remains that you need to sleep, and you just feel tired and aggravated all day if you can’t get your eight hours in. We’ve put together some simple tips so that you can feel refreshed!

Embrace the early night

OK, pre-kids you probably wouldn’t have been ready to go to bed at 10 pm (or even earlier, for some). But the truth is that getting an early night is one of the only ways to get in enough sleep before all of the chaos starts at around 6 am in the morning, and if you don’t go to sleep until midnight, this is going to be horrible. It can be hard to get into this routine, but once you’re in it, you’ll be glad that you’re getting a few extra hours to snooze.

Get a comfortable mattress

We spend so much of our lives in bed, but some of us just haven’t thought about how our mattresses could be affecting us. If you’ve had yours for a long time, this could be the issue when it comes to your sleeping, and you may also have one that’s too hard, or too soft. Invest in a well-known brand that gives you a good guarantee – like Silentnight mattresses – and see whether it improves your sleeping habits.

Make your bedroom a tech-free haven

When you finally get into bed at night, you may be one of those people who scroll through Facebook or Instagram, thinking that this is a good way to unwind a little before bed (don’t worry, most of us are guilty of this). However, the light from the screen makes it harder for you to fall asleep, and it actually makes you more alert rather than helping you to relax. If you want to sleep well, say goodbye to the phone before bed!

Create a comfortable space

OK, we know what you’re thinking. All of your rooms eventually become full of kids toys and other miscellaneous items, but you need to keep your bedroom as a clean, minimalist space, that is perfectly designed for a good night’s sleep. Wash your bedsheets as much as you can, invest in some blackout blinds, and don’t let your room become an extension of the playroom, as much as you may not think that this is an issue.

So, if you’re looking to get in a few more Zzzs as a parent, why not try out these simple tips? Good luck (you may need it…) and enjoy a few extra hours, and the positive impact that they will have upon your day!