Sleeping is such a funny beast. Isn’t it? Everyone, at one time or another, will likely experience sleep issues.
Over the years, my sleep habits and patterns have changed. But my life has changed, too. I’ve given up a career in the corporate world (which meant lots of coffee with lots of sleep) for a simpler life as a mom (which means decaf coffee and not so much sleep).
As far as I can remember, my sleep issues developed toward the end of my pregnancy. The extra weight made it difficult for me to find a comfortable position. Once The Boy was born, sleep was crazy for the first few months. Babies are nocturnal by nature, no one tells you that, and often find it easier to sleep during the day. We were fortunate that he began sleeping in 6- to 7-hour stretches around 4-months old. Win! But, my sleep cycle was so out of whack it didn’t really matter!
Fast forward nearly five years later and my sleep issues continue.
For me, my problem isn’t always falling asleep (hello, couch!) but rather staying asleep at night. My eyes pop open when there is any change in the sound in our home. It’s crazy!
Somethings I’ve noticed that help me to sleep better at night:
Limit caffeine intake throughout the day. As a rule, I no longer consume caffeine. When I do have it, it really affects my body.
Get moving. Exercise at least 20-minutes a day. Since I’ve started running again, my sleep has improved slightly.
Mediate. Take a few minutes at night to unwind alone. Let your brain wonder and purge all that you’ve done during the day.
Practice Yoga. There are a few yoga sequences designed for getting you ready for sleep. Try them – they’re amazing!
Be sure to check out a new resource from the National Sleep Foundation at – a good place to start if you think you have insomnia or aren’t sleeping. The National Sleep Foundation is your trusted resource for everything sleep – understanding how sleep works & why it’s important, learning healthy habits, creating a relaxing bedroom & bedtime routine, & finding solutions to your sleep issues.
Do you experience sleep issues? How do you handle it?
