by Coach Debbie

One thing all moms have in common is we are TIRED.  Physically, mentally, emotionally.  We are just drained, exhausted, and spent.  When we ask moms, "What would you do if you had 24 hours to yourself?"  the most common answer is, "Sleep."

Let me start with the bad news.  If you have an infant, the bottom line is you're going to have to endure.  I know that's a brutal marathon.  There are a gazillion books out there that may help your tiny bundle of joy to sleep through the night.  Hang in there.

And there are those of you who have sleep-hating toddlers who feel the need to wake you throughout each night.  Night after night after night.  How you have made it this long shows how strong you are.  Again, I'm offering no advice here because my strategies will lead to mom-shaming.

I have some great tips to INCREASE the amount of zzz's you catch each night but this is by no means an exhaustive list (and we WELCOME your ideas!).  So if you struggle to fall asleep, stay asleep, or get to bed earlier...read on!  

1. Magnesium oil.  Let's put an end to the Melatonin as everyone's bedtime pill.  It has some not-so-great side effects so let's try natural magnesium oil to lower stress and bring relaxation.  

2.  Shop.  Not for a new skirt, but for quality sheets and a new mattress.  You may not sleep well simply because your body feels uncomfortable, so pamper your skin and enjoy the rest!

3.  Eat like the elderly.  Senior citizens are famous for eating dinner at 4:00, right?  Are you eating too LATE in the day?  It can affect your sleep, so eat a little earlier (say, before soccer practice).   If you're like most moms, you tidy up the kitchen before hitting the hay....this simply delays your bedtime!  Instead, have your kids clean the kitchen after dinner so you don't have to.  Win-win!

4.  Get naked.  Not only is sex a fun gift from God for married couples, it can impact your sleep, so go ahead and act all marital and enjoy drifting to dreamland after.

5.  No pets allowed.  This may hurt a little, but sleeping with pets can hinder your sleep, even if you don't realize it.  They wiggle and snore and kick (kind of like babies) so the quality is just not there.  Consider putting their little bed on the floor near you instead.

6.  Paint.  Your bedroom wall color can actually affect your ability to simply calm down and unwind so that you don't start mentally rehearsing tomorrow's schedule.  Think soothing colors like blues, grays, and greens.

7.  Stay cool and clean.  You already know that your bedroom should have a slightly lower temperature to help you get to sleep and stay asleep (ever been camping in summer?  Bleh.).  Adjust your thermostat after dinner so that your sanctuary is chilled in time.  Be sure to take your own advice to your kids and keep your room clean.  If you have junk everywhere, it affects your brain and you will feel unsettled.  A clean room invites you to fully exhale and relax.

8.  Screen do's and don'ts.  Turn off your brain by turning off screens during the last hour of your day.  You need to let all that stimulation go.  But before you do, set an alarm on your phone to remind you to go to bed.  My husband laughs that I literally have an alarm set that says, "Go to bed."  I am a night owl and get stuck on the couch, so I need the external cue to head to bed.

9.  Consider the daytime.  During your day, taper off caffeine intake by lunchtime so that you aren't overly jazzed when the sun sets.  Caffeine can do a number on our sleep habits.  To stay awake during the day, reach for our Momsanity BCAA's instead of coffee or soda.  Also, if you're a chronic nap-taker, number one, I am so jealous of you.   Buuuuutttt if you have trouble falling/staying asleep, you have to end napping (sorry, I'm just the messenger).    I'm a huge fan of naps and encourage most moms to take full advantage of them UNLESS you stare at your bedroom ceiling nightly in full insomnia-mode.

What would you add to the list?  What tricks work for you to slumber like a boss?  Share that with us!

"When you lie down, you will not be afraid; when you lie down, your sleep will be sweet."  Proverbs 3:24