3 Simple Tips to Improve Sleep for Parents and Parents-to-Be

By: Amanda

For those of you that are already parents, I am sure your child’s sleep routine and schedule is something you have had nailed down for a while now. But how about your sleep? Poor sleep hygiene can lead to anxiety, loss of muscle mass, high blood pressure to name a few. We've put together tips to drastically improve sleep for parents (and parents-to-be!)

Let’s talk about 3 small shifts you can make to improve your own sleep routine and schedule:

1) Natural Light Exposure

This one might surprise you. Did you know that exposure to natural light for about 20-30 minutes early in the day can help normalize the body’s natural circadian rhythms? Try not to overthink this one. Getting yourself outside helps the body to settle into the natural sleep/ wake cycles. (Even if it is cloudy)

2) 10 Magical Minutes

These ten minutes are yours to create a sense of relaxation, calm and restoration. For some this might mean a shower and your favorite body scrub, for others this might need to be prepping the morning coffee and lunches but also putting on some calming music while you work.

For those who feel tension and aches (especially, our soon-to-be and new parents), tend to your physical body. Some tension releasing restorative poses // child’s pose, feet up the wall, a supported spine twist (to calm a tight chest and upper traps), a Gua Sha routine for your face. Whatever it may be. Depending on how tired you are, this can be shortened to 5 magical minutes.

My minutes are all about my feet. A self (or partner) administered massage and mobility routine followed by Dr. Bronner’s Peppermint lotion. Sigh….

3) Tart Cherry Juice

Let me tell you, friends, this Tart Cherry juice is a total game changer. Scientific research has demonstrated that Tart Cherry can help boost the sleep hormone Melatonin and also Tryptophan which produces melatonin. Melatonin is secreted to help the body transition into sleep. I prefer to buy the concentrate. This way it is more cost effective and I can mix it as I wish.

Extra benefits of Tart Cherry juice are that it is super charger with antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties ~ woot!

Happy sleeping 😴 and we will see you on the mat very soon! 👋