For most mums, sleep is mostly wishful thinking, and you often think to yourself: Sleep? Yeah, I remember that. As rewarding as parenting can be, most mums spend their time transforming into a multitasking, never-resting octopus with an impressive to-do list.
We make sure that our little ones get their fair share of rest, that the lunch is ready, and that the birthday cake is done. When you have little toddlers, the chores get all the more complex with setting up play dates, taking them to day care, and finding creative ways to stimulate their little minds.
Still, you as a mum need energy to be that masterful octopus. And to get ample energy, you need proper sleep, consistently so. If you’d like to see your schedule a little less frantic and have fewer headaches while you master the art of mumhood, consider adding a few holistic strategies for restful nights of sleep. Here are a few to keep in mind!
A 10-minute meditation
For some, mindfulness is just another buzzword, but for moms, it should be a priority. You already spend most of your time worrying, planning, and focusing on everything and everyone but yourself, while becoming more mindful of your own needs is a healthy way to de-stress and relax. The simplest way to achieve that would be to add a meditative session to your day, preferably before it?s time to sleep, due to the relaxing effect meditation can have on your mind.
Make this one of your quick and simple before-bed rituals, and you’ll put your mind at ease, regulate your breathing, relax your entire body, and enable yourself to fall asleep more quickly. Even a brief, 10-minute meditation before bed is an effective way to battle stress and slow down your thoughts.
Light stretching and exercises
One word ‘yoga’! Not every mum is fitness-crazy, and no matter if you do enjoy breaking a sweat or find zero time for that right now, a brief yoga sequence is all you need to reap the rewards for better sleep. You can alternate between asanas that are designed to elevate your energy, which is precisely what you need in the morning, and those yoga poses that are perfect for relaxation and inducing sleep.
No need to set aside a full hour, as well. You can repeat these asanas as many times as you feel you need to, or simply position yourself into balasana (child’s pose) or savasana (corpse pose) and breathe deeply until you?re ready for some sweet dreams.
Transform your shower session
A hot shower is a perfect example of how a little can go a long way in helping you prepare yourself for a night of restorative sleep. Use those bedtime baths to awaken your senses, pamper your skin, and cleanse your pores thoroughly. Most moms struggle with clogged pores that result in blackheads or zits, so this is a good chance to exfoliate your complexion.
Also, too many mums neglect their scalp which results in greasy locks and dandruff. To battle these beauty issues and relax at the same time, use your organic anti-dandruff shampoo infused with sandalwood and aloe vera to soothe your scalp and nourish your strands. Rich avocado oil is another great ingredient to consider that will gently revitalize your hair in no time. Your shower-time is a perfect moment for self-care, so make sure you devote this time to you, and you alone.
Use aromatherapy to your advantage
Much like the warm scent of sandalwood has the power to completely revamp your shower, other fragrances can easily help you relax and create the perfect mood in your bedroom to fall asleep with ease. Once you find the scents that work best for you, this part of your self-care routine will take virtually no time at all, and it will remain as effective as ever.
For instance, vanilla-scented candles in your bedroom are a great way to add a warm, delicious note of nature into your meditation session. If you like reading a chapter of a book before bed, the right fragrance can allow you to drift away into dream land quickly. Lavender-infused candles are a perfect choice for your bedtime ritual to be complete.
Mums, you deserve more rest, especially when you’re eager to devote so much of your time and energy to loving and caring for your little rascals. These simple tips can help you get the perfect amount of sleep you need, and help you stay consistent with your bedtime schedule. Use them, and slowly restore your energy for more mumhood adventures!
Sophia Smith is beauty and style blogger, an eco-lifestyle lover, graphic designer and a DIY enthusiast. She is very passionate about natural skincare, minimalist wardrobe, yoga and mindful living. Sophia writes mostly about beauty-related topics in her blogs and articles. She has contributed to a number of publications including Eco Warrior Princess, Cause Artist, How to Simplify, Life as Mama, Naughty Nutrition, Life Goals Mag, Sivana Spirit, Bonvita Style, and Carousel. You can find out more about her writing by following her on Twitter.