Hackity, hack- Sleep Come Back!!
Dear Moms,
So every other day or so, whilst scrolling through my social media accounts (btw are YOU following me on social media? The links will be below, in case you're not!) I see #HACK videos. You know, an easier way to do something that we've been doing for ages- but some genius (and I DO often sincerely mean "genius" in these instances) has figured out how to either make it easier, cleaner, or faster!
There are plenty of hacks that I use regularly, that are tried and true... Making my own Febreeze for instance; or how to make your own fabric softener are a perfect set of examples. (I LOVE THOSE two by the by. So much so that I'm sharing how to do it in those links!👆)
There are also some things I'm still waiting on one of the geniuses to hack. Things like, getting rid of my under eye circles (for REALS) and actually getting some sleep as a mommy!
Hold the phone! *gasp* I have found a couple of hacks to actually help you get some good sleep starting as soon as tonight! Are you ready to sleep like someone withOUT children?! Let's HACK it up!
Okay, my first hack is probably going to sound really cliché and redundant- GO DARK! No, really. Turn off all electronics: iPhone, tablet, laptop- everything including that tv because Sister, that blue light is screwing up your circadian rhythms!
What are circadian rhythms? According to the National Health Institute circadian rhythms are, "physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment." So, if you notice that you're either drowsy or super alert at certain times if the day, you have a circadian rhythm to thank! Anywhozit, that light tricks your brain into thinking it's time to be awake during valuable rest hours. What I'm trying to say is: let's just try to keep the bedroom strictly for sleep and sexy time!
Nuuumbah two: Do NOT go to bed on empty. No, I'm not referencing your emotional quotient- you're a mom, you're going to be drained DAILY! I AM, however talking about your stomach. Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night just because of a hunger pang? This was probably because of your brain signaling that your body needed more in the way of fuel. Your blood sugar levels are controlled by long strands of glucose called glycogen, and because you're asleep and not eating... your brain just might panic!
Don't be a victim of a brain panic attack, try a light snack! If you're watching your waistline and the idea of a healthy or unhealthy "snack" is unappealing to you, a tablespoon of raw honey before bed will do the trick! The honey will provide your body with enough glycogen to stave off the panic until you wake, and BREAK the FAST in the A.M.! Plus, it encourages the release of the brain's amino acid, tryptophan (yes, it IS the turkey sleepy stuff)
My last hack is to stay cool! No, I'm not referring to being calm- although, staying calm before bed is always a great idea; I mean cool as in temperature! I love to curl up under a big blanket (especially my #BUFFY) and feel the warm little body heat pocket I've created inside, and have even been known to toss a blanket in the dryer on colder nights but, our bodies are designed to cool down during the evening. So, make arrangements a few hours prior to bed for the temperature to be a good 60°-68° for optimal sleep. Simply crack a window or set that thermostat to drop back around 7:30-8:00pm.
Here's a freebie: STAY HYDRATED! Water is our best friend- want clear skin- drink water. Want your hair and nails to grow- drink water. Problems with your significant other- take a couple bottles of water in a cooler and take a nice long walk by the lake, pond, river...and drown them! Lol I kid, I kid! (It's all jokes, folks!) Well, those are my #HACKS for good sleep, and I'm really ready for bed now. But, before I go... if you want to get in touch with me on social media; you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook right now! I love getting feedback and meeting new people- especially other mamas. As always, be good to one another and keep calm and be a CRAZY mom!
So every other day or so, whilst scrolling through my social media accounts (btw are YOU following me on social media? The links will be below, in case you're not!) I see #HACK videos. You know, an easier way to do something that we've been doing for ages- but some genius (and I DO often sincerely mean "genius" in these instances) has figured out how to either make it easier, cleaner, or faster!
There are plenty of hacks that I use regularly, that are tried and true... Making my own Febreeze for instance; or how to make your own fabric softener are a perfect set of examples. (I LOVE THOSE two by the by. So much so that I'm sharing how to do it in those links!👆)
There are also some things I'm still waiting on one of the geniuses to hack. Things like, getting rid of my under eye circles (for REALS) and actually getting some sleep as a mommy!
Hold the phone! *gasp* I have found a couple of hacks to actually help you get some good sleep starting as soon as tonight! Are you ready to sleep like someone withOUT children?! Let's HACK it up!
Okay, my first hack is probably going to sound really cliché and redundant- GO DARK! No, really. Turn off all electronics: iPhone, tablet, laptop- everything including that tv because Sister, that blue light is screwing up your circadian rhythms!
What are circadian rhythms? According to the National Health Institute circadian rhythms are, "physical, mental and behavioral changes that follow a daily cycle. They respond primarily to light and darkness in an organism's environment." So, if you notice that you're either drowsy or super alert at certain times if the day, you have a circadian rhythm to thank! Anywhozit, that light tricks your brain into thinking it's time to be awake during valuable rest hours. What I'm trying to say is: let's just try to keep the bedroom strictly for sleep and sexy time!
Nuuumbah two: Do NOT go to bed on empty. No, I'm not referencing your emotional quotient- you're a mom, you're going to be drained DAILY! I AM, however talking about your stomach. Have you ever been awakened in the middle of the night just because of a hunger pang? This was probably because of your brain signaling that your body needed more in the way of fuel. Your blood sugar levels are controlled by long strands of glucose called glycogen, and because you're asleep and not eating... your brain just might panic!
Don't be a victim of a brain panic attack, try a light snack! If you're watching your waistline and the idea of a healthy or unhealthy "snack" is unappealing to you, a tablespoon of raw honey before bed will do the trick! The honey will provide your body with enough glycogen to stave off the panic until you wake, and BREAK the FAST in the A.M.! Plus, it encourages the release of the brain's amino acid, tryptophan (yes, it IS the turkey sleepy stuff)
My last hack is to stay cool! No, I'm not referring to being calm- although, staying calm before bed is always a great idea; I mean cool as in temperature! I love to curl up under a big blanket (especially my #BUFFY) and feel the warm little body heat pocket I've created inside, and have even been known to toss a blanket in the dryer on colder nights but, our bodies are designed to cool down during the evening. So, make arrangements a few hours prior to bed for the temperature to be a good 60°-68° for optimal sleep. Simply crack a window or set that thermostat to drop back around 7:30-8:00pm.
Here's a freebie: STAY HYDRATED! Water is our best friend- want clear skin- drink water. Want your hair and nails to grow- drink water. Problems with your significant other- take a couple bottles of water in a cooler and take a nice long walk by the lake, pond, river...and drown them! Lol I kid, I kid! (It's all jokes, folks!) Well, those are my #HACKS for good sleep, and I'm really ready for bed now. But, before I go... if you want to get in touch with me on social media; you can follow me on Twitter and Facebook right now! I love getting feedback and meeting new people- especially other mamas. As always, be good to one another and keep calm and be a CRAZY mom!
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