How to Improve Sleeping Habits
Have you read every book on sleeping habits? Are you a parent ready to tear your hair out because your child won’t go to sleep? Or is your own mind so filled with thought, that you just can’t seem to wind down? Sleeping habits can be changed. Give yourself 30 days and practice how to improve sleeping habits with these Five Tips.
Having a child that is highly gifted proved provided more than one challenge when it was time for sleep. But it’s not just about being gifted, sleep deprivation is becoming a problem around the globe. You need a good 30 days in order to see success and improve your sleep habits.
5 Tips for Success
But I’m too busy…. You may think, you don’t have time to ‘train’ your child or your own brain on how to shut down, but what is the alternative? Medication seems to be what I’m hearing about the most and honestly that is not what is best for you or your child. When we don’t get enough sleep, other conditions, sometimes chronic can follow.
Plan your Time
Now that we are all living a different lifestyle and have more time, it’s the perfect opportunity to set yourself up for success. Begin with time and schedule your sleep to form a pattern. Bed time and awake time is the same time every day because consistency is key – even on the weekends. I know, grrr. Time is a key element in your sleeping habits, for all 30 days.
Set the Clock
It’s time to buy an alarm clock or put your phone in another room that is far enough away that you won’t be distracted yet you will hear it when it’s time to wake up. I do this myself, everyday and my alarm sound is to my favourite music. Something that’s happy and makes me want to dance.
Stay Active
Speaking of dancing, make sure you have exercise incorporated into your day, a few times. I love it when the whole family goes for a walk after dinner. Great for the digestion and nice crisp air make for a better sleep. The dog likes it too! If you are serious about wanting to improve sleeping habits and have success in 30 days, you will remember to stay active. You can always find 15 minutes to go for a walk or stretch or even do an evening yoga.
Snuggles & Giggles
Since you don’t have any electronic devices dinging and pinging at you; nor a Television or computer, it’s time to get snuggly. You and your child are ready to put on a cozy pair of jammies, grab your favourite blanket and pillow and get under the covers for some giggles. It still makes me giggle to this day when I think of snuggle time.
Magic Formula
The magic in this formula lies in story time and having a ‘paper’ book to read. Either on your own or together but it has to be paper. Remember, you have put the electronic devices away now. The glow in the dark screens, especially at night when your mind needs time to rest, are a key to avoid for sleep. Story time can also be telling stories, but that may cause too much excitement. Choose a story that is happy and calming. No dragons at night please, you want to dream and have a good nights rest.
30 Days to Success
“If we did all the things we were capable of doing, we would literally astound ourselves”. Thomas Edison.
No overnight success here – you need to commit to 30 days to form a new habit. Just remind yourself, matters that are important and have a sense of urgency will always get squeezed into the schedule.Think about how you can stretch, how you can challenge yourself and your family.Choose to feel like it, trick yourself if you have to.Tell yourself you can do it. Keep moving forward, one step at a time.The result, Equanimity.You will bring to your life more balance and feel better when you have a good nights sleep.
- Plan your Time for Sleep
- Set the Clock to train yourself
- Stay Active even if its only 15 minutes
- Get Snuggly & have some giggles
- Read a Book in Paper Format – Happy Stories
#Gifted #Parenting #Giftedness #Sleep #Habits
More Resources
For more on this topic and how to plan your time, watch or listen to the Flourish episode –
How to Manage your Time
