How to Wind Down for Sleep After a Stressful Day with Kids

Everyone gets stressed. My biggest stressors are also my biggest joys.

My kids.

It’s no secret that my kids are terrible sleepers.  And now that they’re active toddlers and preschoolers and they STILL don’t sleep, this mama finds herself pretty wired at the end of the day.

 

It still boggles my mind that despite the YEARS of sleep deprivation, I still struggle to stop my churning thoughts and get some decent shut eye. I wish I could be like my husband, who can just flip a switch and be sound asleep (until the 4 year old needs to use the restroom at 3 am). I can’t afford to waste that precious time when the kids are asleep so I’ve started giving myself a bedtime routine, because I really need to wind down and sleep after a stressful day with the kids.

Here’s some things that work for me…

1. Yoga

I LOVE yoga. I’m really not much for exercise these days, but yoga just makes my body feel good. And it doesn’t take much: a few sun salutations, a couple spine twists, and I’m starting to feel human again.

2. Prayer

At the end of the day, I often times find myself heavy-hearted. The world is hurting, people I love are in pain, and I find myself worried and unable to help. That is, until I take a knee and cast my cares upon God. When I don’t take the time to do this, I’m restless all night. God cares and can actually do something about what burdens your heart. We’d all do well to take more advantage of prayer.

3. A Warm Bath 

Alright, this is a little embarrassing. I’m a Chicagoan. I’ve slept in igloos overnight for crying out loud! But for some reason, our home in central Texas is so drafty that my teeth chatter most of the day. By the evening, I can barely feel my feet. I must have circulation problems. I’ve found that it’s nearly impossible to fall asleep quickly when my feet feel like ice blocks under the covers. So I’ve been taking a warm bath before bed so that I’m toasty and my muscles are super relaxed.

4. RESCUE Sleep Liquid Melts

Recently I’ve rediscovered RESCUE brand homeopathic stress aids. I’ve been using their Sleep Liquid Melts just before bed and can’t believe how quickly my thoughts stop racing and I wake up the next morning not remembering any major battles to fall asleep. I LOVE that they’re all-natural and non-habit forming. There are a variety of different products including:

• • RESCUE Pastilles
  • RESCUE Sleep Liquid Melts
  • RESCUE Pearls
  • and more

I’ll definitely be stocking up and trying some of their other products. I got mine at CVS but they can also be found at Walgreens, Sprouts and Whole Foods.

 

We all function so much better when we have a good night sleep. I’ve really struggled with sleep deprivation, but I’m starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll get there too! I keep hearing a rumor that eventually kids sleep through the night. 😉 But while you’re in the trenches, make the most of those fleeting hours with some of the tips above.

Do you have any tricks that help you shut the noodle off for the night? I’d love it if you shared them below! We can all use all the help we can get!