Frugal Ways to Get a Good Night's Sleep
Wednesday, March 25, 2009 Posted by Christina
You don't have to resort to popping sleeping pills, Benedryl or Tylenol PM to get a decent night's sleep.
Here are a few frugal ways you can get a few more zzzzzzs.
Knock out the caffeine, especially after 2 p.m. You can't get a good night's rest if you're still hopped up on Mountain Dew.
Don't snack after 8 p.m. Your body needs some time to digest food. No more late night snacks.
Get some exercise. Make sure you do some physical activitity every day, and not too close to bedtime or you'll be wide awake. Our bodies were designed to move and function better with regular exercise.
Make sure your house is the right temperature for sleeping. You won't sleep well if you're too hot or too cold. I have a pair of fleece pajamas that are awesome in the cold winter months... but all wrong in the summer!
Determine whether you need total darkness and background noise. Some folks sleep better in pitch darkness, while others need a street light shining in their window. Some people like white noise (like a fan) and other people need total silence. Figure out what works best for you.
Make sure your kids sleep. It's a blessing to have children who sleep soundly the entire night. I love The No-Cry Sleep Solution
and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers
by Elizabeth Pantley for helping make sure my kids get the sleep they need. When they sleep, you sleep!
Make sure your kids don't wake up too early. Okay, this clock isn't frugal (suggested retail is $40), but you can't put a price on beauty rest! This this alarm clock and nightlight
changes color when it's time to get up so your toddler knows when it's okay to wake up mom and dad. This has been a lifesaver in our house... no more boys up at 4 a.m.!
Create a bedtime routine. Parenting experts tell you to create a bedtime routine for your kids, but how many of us don't bother to do that for ourselves! Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath. Stay off the computers and away from the television before bed.
What are some of your frugal ways to get a good night's sleep?
Here are a few frugal ways you can get a few more zzzzzzs.Knock out the caffeine, especially after 2 p.m. You can't get a good night's rest if you're still hopped up on Mountain Dew.
Don't snack after 8 p.m. Your body needs some time to digest food. No more late night snacks.
Get some exercise. Make sure you do some physical activitity every day, and not too close to bedtime or you'll be wide awake. Our bodies were designed to move and function better with regular exercise.
Make sure your house is the right temperature for sleeping. You won't sleep well if you're too hot or too cold. I have a pair of fleece pajamas that are awesome in the cold winter months... but all wrong in the summer!
Determine whether you need total darkness and background noise. Some folks sleep better in pitch darkness, while others need a street light shining in their window. Some people like white noise (like a fan) and other people need total silence. Figure out what works best for you.
Make sure your kids sleep. It's a blessing to have children who sleep soundly the entire night. I love The No-Cry Sleep Solution
and The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers by Elizabeth Pantley for helping make sure my kids get the sleep they need. When they sleep, you sleep!Make sure your kids don't wake up too early. Okay, this clock isn't frugal (suggested retail is $40), but you can't put a price on beauty rest! This this alarm clock and nightlight
changes color when it's time to get up so your toddler knows when it's okay to wake up mom and dad. This has been a lifesaver in our house... no more boys up at 4 a.m.!Create a bedtime routine. Parenting experts tell you to create a bedtime routine for your kids, but how many of us don't bother to do that for ourselves! Create a relaxing bedtime routine, such as reading or taking a warm bath. Stay off the computers and away from the television before bed.
What are some of your frugal ways to get a good night's sleep?
March 25, 2009 5:42 PM
What suggestions do you have for a mommy with a 2-yr-old that comes downstairs 27 times a night lookin' for somebody to play with? HE'S the one that needs the Advil PM!
March 25, 2009 8:35 PM
@Lea Ann: That's funny... though I don't have kids right now, someday I'm sure I'll understand.
March 25, 2009 9:36 PM
I love the picture of your little one - absolutely precious! My advice is to keep them in the crib as long as possible - assuming they don't try to crawl out! Our youngest has no urge to leave his crib for a big boy bed yet - it's not exactly "frugal" advice, but it's given us time to search for and find a great deal on a big boy race car bed!
March 26, 2009 9:19 AM
One other tip: Try to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day--even on weekends. Your body will thank you for it!
March 26, 2009 12:22 PM
Lee Ann,
My suggestion is the same as super nanny's. Firmly and quickly get him back in bed. Don't stay, don't interact.
During the day spend more time interacting and also talk with him about how you won't be playing at night because night is time for sleep.
Last but not least: if all else fails -- turn off the lights and pretend to go to bed. My kids see me up watching the tv and they want to watch tv. They see me in jammies in bed and they get the picture.
March 26, 2009 7:04 PM
How old were your boys when you started to use the clock. I keep looking at it and wishing. But I think the girls are still too young.
March 26, 2009 8:42 PM
@Lee Ann - I agree with Kristen's comments... just keep putting him back and putting him back, and eventually he'll get it.
The clock does help, though, because you can tell him that he can't get out of bed until it turns green (the exception is potty trips).
@Catherine - My oldest was 3 when we got the clock. My two little ones are still captive in their cribs. ;-)
March 27, 2009 2:25 PM
Getting up at a regular time is valuable. I get up at 5:30 on weekdays: a little later, but not past 7, on weekends.
January 21, 2010 1:27 PM
I tried some of these tips to get my little one to sleep better and many of them worked. Keep up the great posts.