Going to bed early. This one was a tough one for me. I bet it is for most but perhaps especially for parents. We’re lucky to get just a couple of hours in the evening to ourselves into which we try to jam everything or we doing nothing and watch Netflix. For me, for ages, it used to be one or the other and in the end neither were doing me any good. So I decided to focus on going to bed earlier at least three to four times a week. Here’s how it has been.
It’s a small yet insignificant and costs-me-nothing change and I needed it. Danny still wakes up to nurse once, and on occasion twice a night, so getting a full night’s sleep is impossible.
There’s nothing I can do about that for now. But at least I can make sure that the few hours of sleep that I DO get are restorative. So I aim to be in bed by ten. I keep that in mind while I’m planning my day or evening. I have forced myself to drop something I’m doing in order to get myself to bed. And I never regret it.
I sleep early for my skin and for my mind. It has benefited my overall well-being, productivity and it can do wonders for your immune system. Unless you have kids in which case always assume you are covered in germs.
The first week was interesting because I successfully went to bed early for three nights in a row and one night shortly after his baptism, Danny woke up three times. Normally I would have been a ball of rage and tiredness the next day – at least that was what papa was expecting- but somehow it felt manageable. I was rested and ready to face the day.
I eased myself into an early bedtime by taking it 20 minutes to half an hour earlier each night.
I also created a little ritual that involves skin cleansing, a hot shower, absolutely no TV, a hot tea, a candle and a book or a notebook to help me unwind. I actually found it surprisingly easy to fall asleep one night at 10 pm without any distractions at all.
Here are a few more tips that have helped me get to bed at a sensible time:
- wear comfortable soft pyjamas or loungewear.
- tidy your bedroom and create a super-soothing environment
- write a to-do list of three things you must do before you go to bed i.e pack the kids’ school lunch box.
- do some yoga or breathing.
I still enjoy a late night once or twice a week, usually on a Friday or Saturday but overall I now look forward to going to bed early because the results are immediate, felt the very next day.
