When it comes to sleep and motherhood, it is quality over quantity. So here are some tips for a quality night’s sleep, so you can make the most of your Zzz’s.
By Mama Disrupt®
Getting a good night’s sleep is important for so many reasons. And when you’re a mama, it becomes even more precious; because A) sometimes little ones are up during the night, and B) you have little ones to look after during the day (not to mention so you can feel on top of your game and make time for tackling all of your personal life goals).
While the healthy amount of sleep varies from person to person (the Sleep Health Foundation Australia recommends between seven and nine hours per night for adults aged 26-64), everyone knows what a struggle the day-to-day can be when you haven’t had the right amount for you. Hello, cranky mama!
And because you can’t just take it easy and have a day on the couch when you haven’t had a enough shut-eye the night before, we caught up with Olivia Carr, co-founder of SHHH Silk pillowcases and eye masks (favoured by the likes of Giselle, Kim Kardashian and Kylie Jenner) to chat about her tips on how to make the most of your time on the pillow.
Tips for a quality night’s sleep
1. Tea-time routine
“Enjoy a cup of your favourite herbal tea in the evening. Chamomile tea is most commonly known for its calming effects and is frequently used as a sleep aid.”
2. Turn tech off
“Keeping a mobile within reach may disturb slumber. Minimise electronic currency and simmer cognitive stimulation by turning your phone off one hour before you hit the sheets, which will give you enough time to disconnect from your digital day.”
3. Get into meditation
“Meditation is a mind-calming practice that helps fight fatigue and insomnia. Melt away the day thirty minutes prior to slumber.”
4. Just add oil
“Essential oil diffusers have been known to improve health, increase energy and improve sleep. Add lavender oil! Its health benefits help eliminate nervous tension, relieve pain, enhance blood circulation, and treat respiratory problems. Switch a diffuser on 30 minutes before heading to bed and shut your door – I promise, when you wake your room will feel like a day-spa.”
5. Mask it up
“Achieve beauty sleep and block out the light with a silk sleep mask. The natural fibre is perfect for sensitive-skin prone to allergic reactions.”
6. Switch to silk pillowcases
“The hype is real! Try switching your cotton pillowcase to silk. The instant luxurious feeling of silk will not only help you fall asleep easier, it will make sure you wake up without dreaded bed creases!”
7. Write it down
“Place a planner next to your bed and write down all tasks that need to be done the next day. Committing everything to memory, rather than writing it down, will simply encourage midnight sleep disturbances – so plan ahead.”
