Everyday Life and Happiness

I am consistently looking for new ideas for how to get better sleep.  I have learned that sleep is not only important for you to be able to function the next day, it is vitally important for weightloss and for your internal body processes as well!

Establish A Bedtime Routing For EVERYONE

Think bed time routines are just for kids?  Think again!  If you haven’t already, establish a bedtime routine for the entire family. Make sure to give plenty of time for stories, teeth brushing, beauty routines, changing and relaxing so that the entire family is in bed at a decent hour. Your youngest children will need earlier bedtimes than you and your older children.

According to the American Sleep Association, the sleep needs of toddlers, kids, and adults all differ greatly:

• Toddlers & Preschoolers (ages 2-5): 10 to 12 hours each night, plus daily naps
• Children (ages 7-12): 9 to 10.5 hours each night
• Teenagers: 8 to 9.5 hours each night
• Adults: 7 to 8.5 hours each night

Limit food and beverage intake before bed. No, eating before bed doesn’t mean you’ll gain weight, but eating too close to bedtime can affect the quality of your sleep. As you and your kids lie down to sleep, acids in the stomach level out, making heartburn and indigestion more likely to occur. Also, since the body’s metabolism increases slightly to digest food, it can also elevate your energy levels as you’re winding down.

Limit food intake at least three hours before your children’s scheduled bedtimes. If he needs a late snack, keep it small and low in fat (since high-fat foods take longer to digest). Instead, offer a granola bar, some toast, or a small bowl of cereal, but keep the portion small. Say no to stimulants like caffeine, which can raise blood pressure and energy levels.

Replace Pillows Every Year Or Two

Your pillow needs to be replaced every year or so.  Remember, this is where you will be spending at least 1/3 of your day, that is if you are getting your 8 hours of sleep like you should Make sure your pillow is supportive of your neck and head.  Don’t skimp on your pillow!  Make sure you spend enough to purchase a good quality pillow that will hold up over a year or two and one that can be washed.

Unwind Before Bedtime With Meditation

By the end of the day my brain is spinning as I go over the events of the day and begin to think about everything I need to do for the next day.  If I let it, this cycle prevents me from falling asleep as I find myself stuck in a spinning pattern.  What I have found is helpful is doing an evening meditation.  Now this doesn’t have to be a religious-based meditation (although if you want it to – there is nothing wrong with that).  It is spending time being still and allowing your brain to slow down.

One meditation CD that I’ve found helpful is by Dr. Wayne Dyer and it’s called Meditations for Manifesting.  It not only quiets my mind – but Dr. Dyer walks you through a manifesting meditation with his soothing voice.  I’ve found not only do I get better sleep – but I have begun to find it easier to manifest that things in my life I’ve been looking for; mainly peace and happiness.

Meditations for Manifesting : Morning and Evening Meditations to Literally Create Your Heart’s Desire

Another thing I like about this CD is that it has both a morning and an evening meditation.  The morning really helps my brain energize for the day and really focus on my intentions which I want to see come to be.