It may be World Sleep Day, but for many mums, how many Zzz’s we clock up is out of our hands. If that’s you, here are 3 apps to help you reclaim your rest.
By Mama Disrupt®
If you’re a modern mum, juggling more hats than a haberdashery on a windy day, you know sleep is vital for your mental health. TBH you’re probably a little sick and tired of hearing about how important it is. Because in between the bedtime battles and the 3am wake-up calls, a decent night’s kip feels like a mythical creature.
But fear not, sleep-deprived warrior queen, we’ve got 3 app heroes to help you reclaim your rest and wake up feeling like you, well, actually slept!
1. Sleep Cycle: Your Smart Sleep Tracker & Gentle Alarm
Fed up of waking up feeling like you’ve been dragged through a hedge backwards? Sleep Cycle uses your phone’s microphone to track your sleep stages and wakes you up during the lightest phase, leaving you feeling refreshed, not like a zombie.
This app also tracks your sleep quality, giving you valuable insights into your snooze patterns and helping you identify any sneaky sleep disruptors. And for those mornings when you need an extra nudge (we’ve all been there!), Sleep Cycle offers a variety of gentle alarm sounds, from nature noises to calming music, ensuring your mornings are as peaceful as possible.
Bonus points: it integrates with fitness trackers, giving you a holistic view of your overall health and sleep quality.
2. Calm: Sleep Stories & Meditation for Restful Nights
Let’s face it, adulting can be stressful, and that stress can easily follow us into dreamland. Calm is your one-stop shop for relaxation and stress relief.
This app has a massive library of guided meditations, calming music, and sleep stories narrated by celebs like the dreamy Matthew McConaughey and heartthrob Harry Styles (yep, you read that right!). Whether you need a quick 5-minute meditation to quiet your racing mind before bed or a soothing bedtime story to lull you into a deep sleep, Calm has something for everyone.
The app also includes breathing exercises and mindfulness practices, helping you manage stress throughout the day and promote better sleep hygiene.
3. Slumber: Your Snooze Sanctuary
Now this one is for the kids – and seeing as they pretty much dictate our sleep, then it’s helpful you, too. You know?
Think of Slumber as the lullaby app that grows with your little one (and your sanity!). It’s a treasure trove of calming soundscapes, from gentle rain to rainforest ambience, plus guided meditations and bedtime stories for different ages. Whether your munchkin needs soothing white noise or a dreamy tale narrated by a dulcet-toned voice, Slumber has it covered.
This clever app even boasts a “sleep coach” that analyses your snooze patterns and dishes out personalised tips to help you drift off faster and stay asleep longer. Plus, it integrates with smart devices, so you can create custom sleep routines and control the nursery lights remotely. So, while you might not be able to control the 3am wake-up calls (let’s be honest, who can?), at least you can create the perfect environment for a peaceful slumber.
Remember, you’re not alone in the sleep-deprived mum club
There are loads of apps with online communities where you can connect with other mums, share sleep struggles and successes, and find support and encouragement. This sense of community can be a powerful motivator to prioritise your sleep and remind you that you’re not on this rollercoaster ride alone.
So, World Sleep Day isn’t just about raising awareness, it’s about taking action. Prioritising your sleep isn’t selfish, it’s essential. By using these apps and embracing the power of community, you can reclaim your right to restful sleep and wake up feeling like the amazing, capable mum you are. Now, go forth and conquer that sleep monster! Sweet dreams, mama.
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