Sleep has become far too unfamiliar to many local moms. Busy moms often do not make getting a good night’s rest a priority, resulting in negative physical, mental and emotional responses. Dr. Kathy Hauptmann, M.D. is a local pediatrician as well as a mother of four. According to Hauptmann, organization, nutrition and relaxation are three keys to getting a good night’s rest.
- Keep an organized schedule. “I try to have everything ready to go for the following day,” Hauptmann says. “Lunches made and packed, clothes set out, after-school activity bags packed and in the car. If the children are old enough, have them help.” Having a routine not only helps you get a good night’s rest, but it also helps kids learn organization skills.
- Always eat a hearty dinner. Hauptmann says that foods such as meat, whole grains and dairy products contain the amino acid tryptophan, which is the precursor of the sleep-inducing substances serotonin and melatonin. Make sure to give your body time to digest your meal and avoid caffeinated beverages which will keep you awake.
- Set aside time to relax. “Stress and anxiety are not only emotional, but physical responses that can cause heart racing and pounding as well as tightening of the muscles, which in turn inhibit sleep,” Hauptmann says. Deep breathing and meditation are some techniques women can use in order to relax and fall asleep.
Amanda Blue is an intern for KC Parent Magazine. She is a sophomore at the University of Kansas where she is studying journalism.