Go to Bed, Mom!

 Something struck me this morning during our prayer time after Bible study. Somebody was praying for someone who is about to have surgery, and the pray-er said something like, "Give the doctors and other involved staff plenty of rest before the surgery."  Presumably, she was praying for this rest so the staff can be wide awake and alert during the surgery, increasing the chances that all will be successful!

Isn't everyone's job performance increased, generally speaking, with plenty of rest and sleep?  Isn't it harder to accomplish things when we're tired?

Maybe I'm the only mom who hadn't put two and two together, but it suddenly hit me--since my job as a wife and mom is just as legitimate and important as higher-paying jobs, doesn't it make sense that a proper amount of sleep would help me be better at it?  Especially with my new quest to be a gentler mom, good sleep can only help!

My problem is that I don't like to give in to the end of another day.  Time is flying so fast, and, at the end of many days, I just want to make it last a little longer.  I know once I fall asleep, this great day is gone.  Where are all these days going, anyway?  And why are they in such a hurry?

But are my days as great as they could be if I'm not as awake and alert as I could be?  Am I actually wasting time by not sleeping enough?  Am I letting some of the gentleness I want to bestow on my family slip through my fingers with that neglected sleep?

I don't know!  It's worth investigating, though!

Now, some nights I simply can't get to sleep even when I want to.  Melatonin works wonders for me.  Usually.  (I wrote about this all-natural sleep aid here, if you're interested).  When I can't sleep and it's not my fault, that's a different thing.

But, when I could be sleeping and I'm instead trying to make a day last longer than it should, I'm really not keeping my priorities in line.

I should add that I'm not suggesting I or anyone else should sleep too much, either!  Staying in bed to escape life isn't healthy or productive.

As with just about everything, balance is the key! :)

Can't Sleep? Try This!

It seems more and more people have trouble sleeping, either once in awhile or on a chronic basis.  I don't know what the reason is (I'm sure there are varying factors), but I know of a great way to help occasional (like me) or chronic insomnia sufferers.

It's a product called Melatonin, and it can be found in the vitamins section in almost any grocery store, drugstore, or discount department stores (Target, Walmart, Meijer, etc.), and under many brand names.  Melatonin is a natural alternative to Tylenol P.M. or products like that, and is non-habit-forming.  It's actually a substance that your body already produces on its own, but many people benefit from taking extra to help them sleep.

Since I'm not a doctor, I would suggest purchasing the pills in the smallest strength per pill to start with, and/or talking to your pharmacist about how to properly use it and possible side effects.  The bottle we have right now is 5 mg time release, but even one of those babies made me feel overly loopy, so I only take half at a time on nights I feel wired or can't turn my brain off. ;)  Based on my experience with this higher dosage, I won't buy it again, but instead go for the lower strength ones.  I can always take more than one of the lower strength pills if one isn't working, but I'd rather start out small.

If you take Melatonin about 20-30 minutes before you want to go to sleep (and relax, of course--don't work out or clean your house after you've taken it!), you will likely begin to feel drowsy, and then sleep is right around the corner.  At least, that's been the experience of myself and many others.

Hope this helps somebody out there get a better night's sleep! :)