Parenting is a journey filled with joy, challenges, and countless sleepless nights. However, prolonged sleep deprivation can take a lot of that joy away, and cause health issues. That’s why it’s important to prioritize sleep and have healthy habits for the whole family. Read on to find out how!
The Importance of Sleep
Quality sleep isn’t merely a luxury but a fundamental pillar of overall health and wellness. Founder and Lead Sleep Expert at Good Night Sleep Site, Alanna McGinn, explains, “Sleep deprivation affects many things. It affects our cognitive abilities, mood and temperament, immune system, and motor skills. When we’re dealing with a new parent, especially a mom who is running on a sleep debt and experiencing sleep deprivation because they have a child who isn’t sleeping, our main concern with that mom is the temperament.”
Establishing Sleep Routines
McGinn went on to say, “If parents could just get the normal amount of sleep every night, they wouldn’t need more sleep than the average adult. A new parent can’t get the appropriate amount of each night that an average adult, but realistically, it’s just not going to happen, and that’s okay. That’s what I try to tell new parents: you need to take the pressure off. It’s normal to lose some sleep when you first have a child, but you don’t need to lose that sleep for the next five years. That’s what is not normal. That’s where I come in, but in the beginning, you can’t expect to sleep well. There’s nothing you can do about that.” McGinn suggests establishing a clear nighttime routine and being consistent about it. For example, reading at a certain hour, or dimming the lights at a specific time, to let the family know it’s almost time for bed.
Creating the Right Enviornment
Creating an optimal sleep environment is essential for fostering restful sleep and minimizing sleep disturbances. McGinn explains, “Our sleep environment is an amazing tool that we can utilize and one that often gets overlooked to help us sleep better. For adults, really focus on creating that sleep sanctuary, protecting the bedroom for sleep only, and creating whatever kind of calming and relaxing environment works for you. Think about colors on the wall, colors, and patterns in your bedding. Focus on your five senses; what are you seeing, hearing, tasting, touching, smelling? Work to make a relaxing environment and protect the space for sleep only.”
She went on to suggest that non-sleep-related activities such as working or exercising shouldn’t be done in the bedroom. McGinn also recommends investing in quality mattresses and pillows.