Sleep

Sleep, defined as “the natural state of rest which your eyes are closed and you become unconscious”, “not awake”.

Since becoming a Mum I have had less Sleep, definitely a lot less Sleep.  I remember before I had children that I would go to bed and Sleep through the night.  That all changed when I had my children.  The biggest shock to the system when having a baby was the lack of Sleep”.  This was so tough. 

I remember when I started new jobs I would train my body to get up earlier.  I should have done some training to build up to the lack of Sleep.

I remember when bringing our first baby home and I struggled not sleeping.  I thought I was tired towards the end of my pregnancy yet this was easy versus no Sleep and looking after a little baby.

The best move I made was when I brought my baby into bed with me at 5 months - cosleeping changed our lives and made sure I got Sleep.

When I had my little boy I remember being in the hospital and ringing my parents in desperation since I really needed Sleep, and I rang them to ask if they could come and watch over my baby so that I could Sleep. 

I remember as the months went on with my babies that I used to add up all of the hours of Sleep - and was happy if I got 5 hours of Sleep all up – which was always broken Sleep with babies and children waking up. 

In Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs, Sleep comes up as one of the most basic needs that need to be satisfied before moving onto higher levels.  Food, water, warmth and rest come into this basic needs area. 

It was helpful doing some research which states that for every hour of Sleep before midnight is equal to 2 hours of Sleep.  It is also interesting researching to learn about recommendations for Sleep such as having a routine and not having television on just before you go to bed. 

I still have a lot of work to do in this area.  It is something I am definitely experimenting with and keen to learn more about, to maximise the benefits of Sleep for me.

Googling “how much Sleep do I need” it states that adults need 7 to 9 hours. 

Often I have been staying up late after my children have gone to bed as I am always working on different projects and need this time.  Yet I have ended up staying up so late each night.

This week I made the decision to go to Sleep at 10pm Monday to Thursday nights.  As soon as the clock struck 10pm I turned off the television, switched off my computer and went upstairs to clean my teeth and climb into bed.  I have been proud of myself and felt so Joyful that I have stuck with this Sleep commitment that I made to myself.  And I have definitely felt more refreshed when I wake up – this has been so incredibly helpful in my role as a Mum in the morning and for work too.  I work hard and have been so exhausted at the end of the day and so I definitely welcome Sleep - as I lay down at night I do feel a sense of Joy.  And when I wake up in the morning, I feel that I am ready to start the day.

I am also conscious of the Sleep my children need too.  My son in particular has not had a good routine.  Up until this week he has not been going to Sleep early or on time or at a reasonable time.  Instead he stays up with me.  Lately, I have seen a big change in his level of happiness where I’ve found it hard waking him up and he is tired and cranky and even cries when I take him to school - I have realised he needs more Sleep. 

And so this week we started a new sticker chart for him with Sleep by 8:30pm being the first goal - and this week he has been in bed 5 nights in a row at this time and it is a massive win and then again tonight - bringing me so much Joy that he wakes up easier and seems more happy again – and I feel Joy as a Mum.

I also get so much Joy from Sleep when my children Sleep next to me too.  My son has been next to me since he was a baby and he loves cuddling into me and it is very special.  And my daughter sleeps in the “big bed” once a week which she loves - mainly because she loves the comfy bed and she also likes to Sleep next to her Mum too.  I feel sorry for my Hubby as he is the one normally hanging onto the side of my daughter’s bed or our bed and each night I hope he gets enough Sleep too.