Our children are not concerned about how we need to spend our time during the day. They don’t understand that we have important meetings or clients to attend to or marketing copy to write. Nighttime is no different. At night when they want our attention, they get it.
Mom! I need to go potty. Mom! I want water. Mom! I had a bad dream. Or the lovely surprise of a tiny person crawling into your bed uninvited (Surprisingly, this doesn’t startle me as much as I thought it would).
All these moments interrupt our much needed sleep. No sleep = foggy brain.
So, what’s a mom to do to survive foggy brain when clients are calling and business must go on?
As a mother to two kiddos who don’t sleep well, I have mastered functioning on little sleep. Here are my top tips for surviving the day after a sleepless night.
1. Don’t skimp on your morning routine. These simple steps will be the difference between falling asleep and making it through the day.
-Start with a pause for gratitude for the day, your life, and this moment. I know this can be hard to do when your baby is crying, but try to take that moment for yourself.
-Once the kids are settled, drink a warm cup of lemon water. If you don’t have time to get warm lemon water, a tall glass of room-temperature water will work just fine. I keep a glass of water on my bedside table for easy access and the reminder. This will rehydrate you and jump start your digestion.
-After you’ve enjoyed a long hot shower (okay, I know, what mom has time for a long shower) end the shower with the coldest water available. It will jolt your system and wake you up faster than a cup of coffee. It’s invigorating and addictive. Trust me.
-Don’t skip breakfast. You’re already running on empty. Stock your kitchen with quick grab and go breakfast items such as fresh fruit, trail mix, toast, nut butters, and smoothies.
2. Stretch and move your body when you feel your energy drop later in the day.
-Simply standing and reaching for the sky and then bending to touch your toes will get the blood flowing and wake up the body.
-A short walk around the block or the office – outside is best.
3. Choose your mantra wisely.
– Joel Osteen says, “What follows I am will come looking for you.” Even if you’re tired, don’t walk around all day saying “I’m tired” because it will only make you more tired. Consider these few mantra:
I have all the energy I need to get through this day
I feel alive
I am energized
We’ve all been there, even those of us without children. Maybe you’re a doggy mama – they wake us up at night too. Or you could have a partner who snores. Or even noisy neighborhoods. These tips are helpful no matter the reason for your poor night of sleep.
It’s your turn now. In the comments below share what wakes you at night and what tricks you have to energize and wake up the body without using stimulants, such as coffee or energy drinks.
Here’s to hoping tonight is better,
Melanie Toner