Sleep is essential for our bodies and minds. Just like food and water, we can’t survive without it. Getting too little sleep can leave you grumpy and irritated, but it also makes it difficult to focus or muster the energy for simple tasks.
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In a busy household, it’s hard to get everyone into a nighttime routine. However, if you persevere and follow the tips below, you stand a good chance of succeeding. Take a look at the five things that will help your family sleep better at night.
- Get some exercise
A bit of exercise is a great way to tire the whole family out ready for sleep. A walk after dinner can help aid your digestion to stop you feeling full while trying to sleep, and it will also help you burn off some extra energy. Simple physical activity like walking or even dancing around the living room will help you to burn off some energy ready for bed.
- Minimize distractions
Too many distractions before bed can make it difficult to switch off – for both children and adults. Too much noise or activity can leave you feeling hyped up, while technology such as phones or tablets can affect the quality of sleep you get. There are some good ways to shut off your brain before bedtime that can help you to all unwind before bed.
- Make the bedroom built for sleep
Is your bedroom designed to get you the best night’s sleep possible? You might need to change some things. Make sure temperature in the room is comfortable, and if not, use a fan or heater to control it. Ensure that the room is dark by using darker curtains, a blind or some blackout drapes to help you get a better night’s sleep. Your bedroom might benefit from a sleep makeover to make sure it’s perfect for getting your rest.
- Get to bed early enough
If the bedtime routine proves problematic, then try to get to bed earlier at night. You need to make sure that everyone gets their recommended amount of sleep to be able to function properly the next day. A new baby in the house can make things problematic, so factor in the appropriate amount of sleep for a newborn to make sure everyone gets what they need. Establishing a routine will help everyone to settle, so start forming some daily habits.
- Teach the kids about the importance of sleep
It’s a bit of a long shot, but if the kids wake up too early or they have a problem getting to bed, then teaching them why sleep is important could help them to want to get to sleep. Kids will realize the value of sleep as they get older, but teaching them in the meantime might change their outlook.
A good sleep routine is important for keeping the family balanced, but that’s not always easy in a home with autistic children. Sleep and autism parenting can feel like alien concepts, so try to rest up where you can. The right routine and some extra tips will ensure you all the get the sleep you need for a happy and healthy family life.
