Recently I made a post on Facebook that seemed to resonate with lots of you! The post was:
“It seems that excitement about the day, being in flow, the universe handing you everything you ask on a silver platter… it all crumbles in the face of another sleepless teething night. Arrrrrggggh! Today’s lesson: life starts with sleep!”
Teething might not be affecting your energy and sleep levels but, if you feel your levels need addressing, here are some great tips that will show you how to have a better quality sleep and increase your energy levels.
Keep a regular sleep routine
Go to bed and get up at the same time each day. If you need to catch up on lost sleep, rather than changing your night time sleep routine, try taking a nap during the day – and limit it to 30 minutes.
Have a relaxing bedtime ritual
Make sure your bedroom is cool and dark; as this will help you relax and sleep well. Take a warm bath, read a book and plan for tomorrow – but avoid working on your laptop or watching TV!
The lighting from both will suppress your melatonin production and this will keep you awake and alert!
Focus on relaxation
Whether you struggle to drift off in the first place or after you’ve been woken up during the night, focusing on relaxing – rather than sleep – could be your secret weapon to drifting off again.
Imagine each of your muscles relaxing or practice deep breathing, this keeps you out of your head and avoids over stimulating your mind. Alternatively, aim for a quiet non-stimulating activity such as reading; just keep it old-fashioned and avoid the use of anything with a screen!
If you’re in need of an energy boost during the day, to counteract a sleepless night, try these great tips:
Smell a lemon!
Lemon oil has long been considered a stimulating scent. Other stimulating oils include Eucalyptus, Ylang Ylang and Peppermint.
Watch your diet
Ensure you are getting adequate hydration – as even mild dehydration can cause you to feel sleepy. Eating regularly is another essential to remember; otherwise your energy and mood can spiral downward – so stock up on complex carbohydrates (e.g. whole grains, green vegetables and cereals).
Get outside and stretch
Heading outside is a great way to feel more energised. Aim for at least 20 minutes and, if you REALLY want to boost yourself out of an energy slump, use that mid-afternoon slump to work out or complete some stretching exercises and yoga moves!
Are you currently experiencing problems with a teething child or is something else disturbing your sleep routine? How do you regulate your sleep patterns and keep your energy levels high? If you have a great tip or secret that helps you – why not share it with others, by sharing it in the comments section below?
