9 Reasons Why You Should Get More Sleep
The next beauty secret we’re going to discuss is the importance of sleep. It’s one of the most important steps to our mom makeover!
This post is part of The Mom Makeover Series. Read the introduction here, and Day 1 here.
The Importance of Sleep
Yesterday we talked about the power of our thoughts and our words. Today we’re moving on to another important key to our mom makeover: sleep.
We all know we need it, but often it isn’t easy to get enough.
In my life, I often try to get by with as little sleep as possible because there’s just so much that needs to be done! I often rationalize missing sleep here and there, until I finally realize I’m not feeling as energetic as I could be because I’m not getting enough sleep.
Sleep affects our health, our mood, our weight, our skin, and so much more. That’s why it’s one of the keys to our mom makeover. It will help us get the energy we need to be the moms we want to be!
Benefits of Sleep
Here are just a few reasons moms need to make sleep a priority:
Sleep…
- Reduces stress
- Helps improve concentration and mental clarity
- Improves your mood
- Boosts immune function
- Keeps your heart healthy
- Improves memory
- Gives you a brighter complexion
- Strengthens hair and nails
- Fights wrinkles!
There are many more health and beauty benefits to getting a good night’s sleep, but the ones I just listed are enough to see how beneficial it is!
How to Get More Sleep
Sleep can be elusive for many of us. Newborn babies, toddlers, children waking up in the middle of the night, and illness can all impact the amount and quality of sleep we get.
Add health issues such as adrenal fatigue (and others), and you could end up as a barely-functioning, sleep-deprived mom, stumbling wearily through each day.
I understand the challenges, mamas. I’ve experienced all of the above (and some were long-term trials that lasted for years), so I know it can seem almost impossible at times to get enough sleep when you’re a mom.
The point is, sleep is so important to our health. And we need to make it a priority as much as possible.
If you’re in a situation where you’re experiencing night wakings, then just do the best you can. Go to bed when your child does (so you can be sleeping when she is), and try to get a nap during the day.
If you’re getting inadequate sleep for any reason, here are some things you can try to improve the length and quality of your sleep.
- Stop using devices at least 1 hour before bed. This also includes watching TV. Any screen time can be stimulating and keep you from getting to sleep.
- Create an evening routine and do the same thing every night so your body gets used to the routine and knows when it’s time for sleep.
- Take a bath before bed, adding some Epsom salt. I find this to be so relaxing, and it detoxes your body.
- Rub lavender essential oil on your feet before bed.
- Do something relaxing like reading a book or meditating on Scripture before falling asleep.
- Make the room as dark as possible. If you have light coming from windows, consider using blackout curtains
. - Keep the room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees.
- Use a white noise machine to keep noises (like barking dogs) from waking you up (this may not be a good idea if you have small children you need to hear in the night).
.Mom Makeover Project #2:
- Make your bedroom a restful place. Clear out the clutter and make it a peaceful haven that will encourage relaxation and rest.
- Make it a goal to try to get to bed earlier this week. Try going to bed 15 minutes earlier than usual every night for a week. The following week, add another 15 minutes until you’re finally getting to bed at your target bedtime.
What about you? Do you get adequate sleep, or are you like me and this is something you struggle with?
Tomorrow I’ll be back with our 3rd Mom Makeover post!
Other Posts in This Series:
Day 1: It All Begins in Your Mind
Day 2: 9 Reasons Why You Should Get More Sleep (and how to sleep better)
Day 3: 11 Ways to Fit Exercise Into Your Life When You’re a Busy Mom
Day 4: How to Create the Perfect Stay-at-Home Mom Capsule Wardrobe
Day 5: 4 Tips to Help You Update Your Look
Day 6: Cultivate the Art of Delight
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Great suggestions! Getting to bed at a decent time is something I’ve been bad about lately. Visiting from the Homestead Blog Hop.
Same here, Alicia! Getting to bed on time is often my greatest challenge. 🙂
Glad to connect with you through the Sitting Among Friends Linkup. This post is so helpful. I’ve been suffering sleep deprivation since I took up blogging last year, adding it to a fulltime job and everything else on my plate. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks so much for stopping by, Edith! Oh, I can so relate. Blogging and sleep deprivation often go hand in hand.
I love your tips to get a restful sleep. I love the smell of lavender so I’ll have to try that one!
Thank you, Valerie! I love using lavender just about every night—I just massage some unscented lotion into my feet and then add a drop or two of lavender. It’s so relaxing!