This post is sponsored by NATROL, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own.
I’ve always had a love/hate relationship with Daylight Saving Time – love the longer days and hate losing that hour of sleep! So as we all get ready to turn our clocks forward I wanted to share a few things our family does to get a good night’s sleep. We also have a some specific tips for recovering quickly from Daylight Saving Time! When I sat down to write this post I asked my guys for their best tips to a good sleep and labeled their ideas below. Give them a try, so you can get outside and enjoy the longer days without your sleep being disrupted!
Slowly adjust your sleep schedule. (Lyndsay)
When it comes to beating Daylight Saving and not letting the time change wreak havoc on your life for a week, this tip is gold! And it’s also simple. Starting on Wednesday night go to bed 15 minutes earlier than normal. Then on Thursday, you’ll you’ll do it 30 minutes early, and 45 minutes early on Friday. Then when Saturday night arrives you’ll have no trouble going to be an hour early. And the thing I’ve learned about this tip is that we usually need more sleep than we’re giving our bodies anyway. So even though it can be hard from a discipline stand point, you’ll feel so much better and probably won’t have a hard time falling asleep once you’re in bed! We’ve even done an exaggerated version of this to beat jet lag when traveling and are always so happy we made the effort.
Avoid late night snacking and caffeine. (Anderson)
No one loves a late night snack and Netflix binge as much as we do, but Anderson swears he doesn’t sleep as well when he eats right before bedtime. And I can’t drink caffeine any later than early afternoon, because the effects can linger in the body for up to six hours. The older I get the earlier my caffeine cut off time gets! Before long I’ll have to get up extra early just to enjoy one cup of coffee each day. 🙂
Try a weighted blanket. (Kingston)
We love weighted blankets! Last year I was talking to a friend about how Kingston had a hard time falling asleep, and she strongly(!) recommended we try a weighted blanket. So I immediately bought one, and Kingston loves it! The blanket makes him feel warm and secure and calms his body which helps calm his mind. If you’re interested in weighted blankets, here are a few good ones! He also got an eye mask on an overnight flight a few months ago and thought it was the coolest thing ever. Ha! So now that’s also part of his bedtime routine on nights when he can’t fall asleep.
No electronics before bedtime. (Anderson)
Try putting electronics away 30 minutes before bedtime, so your brain knows it’s time to wind down. I know it’s tempting to lay in bed and scroll, but did you know screens flood our brains with the same serotonin-inducing light as the sun? No wonder it’s harder to fall asleep when we take our phones to bed!
Read… or do another relaxing activity. (Lyndsay and Kingston)
King and I both love to read before bed! It helps us relax and get our minds in sleep mode. Some nights I read to him, other times he reads to me, and then there are nights we lay in bed together reading separate books. It’s the best! If reading isn’t your thing you might want to do some yoga and stretching or another activity that helps your body and mind relax.
Get some earplugs!!! (Lyndsay)
My mom has been sleeping with earplugs forever, and I’ve always made fun of her for it. I guess my dad snores though, so if she wants to sleep she has to get creative! Then a couple of years ago she and I were in New York, and there was someone using a jackhammer outside our hotel all night. I didn’t sleep at all, and my mom told me I had to try some earplugs the next night. So in total desperation, I did. And I slept better than I had in years! I’ve used them ever since. Moms really do know best. 🙂
Try Natrol Melatonin and Natrol Kids Melatonin. (All of us!)
When we experience occasional sleeplessness or other disturbances in our routine (like travel or Daylight Saving Time) I always reach for Natrol Melatonin, because it helps us fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer. Melatonin is like our body’s biological clock, managing the sleep and wake cycles. But age, everyday stress, and diet can take a toll on our production of melatonin. Natrol Melatonin supplements, from the #1 melatonin brand in America, help to establish normal sleep patterns to give us a more restful night. The supplements are 100% drug-free and non-habit forming, plus they taste great! I’ve been using them for years when we travel!
We’re headed out on an early morning flight the same day as Daylight Saving Time, so I’ll be using all these tips this week! I hope you’re able to try some too, so you can get out an enjoy the longer days without being sluggish.
This post is sponsored by NATROL, but the content and opinions expressed here are my own. Also, I have to tell you that “These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any diseases.”