Family Matters – Sleep Advice for Parents

The average parent leads a very busy life, juggling childcare and work. As a result, social commitments, leisurely pursuits and general downtime are all crammed into just a few short hours at the end of the day.

This can lead to many parents putting back their bedtime and going to sleep later than they ideally should.

While this approach may lengthen a parent’s evenings, it’s a factor that can cause sleep deprivation and the associated medical issues thereof.

So while it’s obvious that sleep is important, how can parents ensure that they get enough of it, while keeping up with their busy lifestyles?

Sleep Advice for Parents

Getting Your Priorities In Order

In short, getting your priorities in order is the key here.

Just as a parent may impress on their children that they should complete their homework before going out to play, parents themselves must acknowledge that getting enough sleep should be their main priority after childcare.

This may mean relegating friends, gym or even overtime at work; however, the change in attitude will be worth it. Good sleep improves concentration, productivity and mood. So while your priorities may change, you might find that actually you have more hours during the day to enjoy leisure time.

People who tend not to sleep as well, meanwhile, can be prone to weight gain, and at greater risk of experiencing heart disease. They may also have higher levels of irritability and stress.

Sleep Quality

In addition to prioritising sleep time, it’s also important to optimise sleep quality. This can help to ensure that your time spent in bed is used for sleeping rather than tossing and turning.

In order to maximise sleep quality, it is vital to create a relaxing routine before you go to bed.

If your children have sleep problems of their own, this should be addressed immediately. For busy people, it can also help to write down a list of chores or worries before bed: this can have a cathartic effect and allow you to relax.

Breathing techniques, meditation and gentle yoga can all also help to relax your mind and get you ready for bed.

What to Avoid

Meanwhile, you should avoid the following:

• Strong caffeine drinks and alcohol within six hours of going to bed.
• Intense exercise two hours before bed.
• Tablets, smartphones and alike within one hour of going to sleep.

Are You Sleeping in the Right Bed?

A major factor in sleep quality is your bed. It should be comfortable and aligned to your body, as well as allowing enough room for you and anyone else you share it with.

If you would like more information about choosing the right bed for your needs, click on the following link to locate nearest Kaymed stockist, and for more information on beds, click here.