How some parents plan ahead for better sleep

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The benefits of a good night’s sleep are well known, but the tricks to getting the best amount of sleep are not as obvious, especially for parents. In fact, parents of children under the age of 11 get, on average, six hours and 48 minutes of sleep each night, far less than the recommended eight hours.

Most parents don’t have time to think about sleep until their head hits the pillow, but the key to a restful night is preparing in advance. A couple of tricks include:

  • Keep the bedroom at a cooler temperature – About 18 degrees is recommended for a better rest. Warmer rooms can lead to improper regulation in body temperature that leads to tossing and turning.
  • Create a calming atmosphere – Try to soothe your senses with specialized products.
  • Unplug – Turn off your computer, cellphone and tablets at least an hour before bed. The blue light that emits from these items can trick the mind into thinking it is still daytime and could affect the proper sleep cycle.
  • Keep kids in their beds – This may be a tricky one, but keeping children in their own bed will lead to a better sleep for parents. Try a door gate as well as positive reinforcement when they have slept an entire night in their own bed.

Most of all, keeping the bedroom as a place of sanctuary and relaxation will help with a better night’s sleep. article-end-jj15-30px

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