Sleeping Tips

The Santa Hunters: Are your kids actually sleeping Christmas Eve Night?

So after a long day of cooking and last minute shopping…oh come on you know you do it, the first thing you want to do is go to sleep. Too bad your kids want to stay up late to try a sneak glimpse of Santa. Then you remember that you still have to play Santa, but that can’t be done until the little rascals pass out. How may you get them to stay nestled all snug in their beds you ask? Well follow these simple tips and visions of sugar plums will be dancing in their heads in no time.

Start early and keep it going
You have a lot of stuff to do on Christmas Eve, so recruit your lil’ troopers to help out. Wake them up early and put them to work. This way, by the time bedtime comes around; they will be exhausted and have no choice but to fall asleep. The added bonus is that you will have more help around the house and it teaches your kids good work ethic. So start their day early and tire them out the old fashion way!

“It’s Bedtime Kids!”
Tell your kids to start getting ready for bed about half an hour before you usually do. Since they will have more trouble falling asleep this night due to all of the excitement, the extra half hour is key. We suggest getting ready when you get home from dinner (if you hosted, then after the guests leave). Then implement last week’s tips on sleeping away stress on your “too excited to sleep” little ones. Try giving them a warm bath or shower and make sure they don’t watch TV or play on the computer.

Help them find Santa!
When I was little, my dad would take me outside before bed to “find Santa.” He would take me right outside and look up into the sky with me. After about five minutes of me pointing our airplanes, my dad would pick one that had the red light and say “there he is!!” I would get so excited that I saw him in the sky that I wouldn’t even try to catch him in the act that night. Try doing this with your kid and you might get similar results. It will also give them some fresh air and will be the equivalent of last week’s tip to “take a stroll” so it will help them to get to sleep faster. Additionally, it is a great bonding moment that I know I will never forget, and your kids won’t either.

Storytime!
Try reading your little angels a story before you go to sleep. “Twas the Night Before Christmas” is a classic and will get them in the mood to sleep. Just make sure they are tucked in before you read it to them so they have the possibility to fall asleep mid-story. The more comfortable you make them; the more likely they will fall asleep before you even leave the room.

Don’t make Santa skip our house!!
Now it is never good to threaten your kids, but do tell them that Santa won’t come unless they are asleep. It will force them to try to sleep because they want Santa to come. We are already telling them that Santa exists, so telling them the only way they will get presents is if they sleep is no different. The magic of Christmas lies in the mystery. So keep the jitter-bugs guessing until they fall asleep to find it morning and they succeeded in falling asleep; meaning Santa came and their presents are all waiting under the tree for them.

Get your Z's during the holidays

Oh the Holidays! A time of love, family, magic, and honey baked ham. Well, those and the stress of buying presents, making food, running the kids around to their holiday pageants, and basically driving yourself crazy!! When do you sleep? When do you take that “me time” to just put your feet up and catch up on your Zzz’s, without being interrupted by yet another holiday task? The thing is, the holidays are a lot more enjoyable when you are relaxed and rested, so follow these tips to sneak in some quick “me time” here and there. Trust us; the rest of the festive season will be a lot more enjoyable.

Tip #1 The 20-Minute power nap
Amongst your busy and chaotic schedules, try to set about 20 minutes or so a day to take a quick power nap to jump-start your system. Whether it be after work, after shopping, or even after visiting with relatives, come home and sleep for twenty minutes. Set an alarm so you don’t sleep your whole busy day away, but just enough to let your body rest. Once you wake up and continue your day, you will have a lot more energy and be less stressed out.

Tip #2 Take a stroll
If you are having trouble getting your brain to cool down when you finally get to go to bed, try this tip. Before getting ready to hit the sack, grab your spouse, your kids, or a relative and walk around the block. Look at lights, sing carols, or just take in this special alone-time with your loved ones. The fresh air will help clear your mind so you can come back home after a few minutes ready to hit that pillow and drift on into dreamland.

Tip #3 Turn OFF the boob tube
During stressful times, it seems like nothing is more relaxing then coming home to chill-out in front of the TV. HOWEVER, having all that noise and colors constantly blaring before bedtime can actually decrease your chances of slumber. Your brain will most likely keep running and won’t be able to relax right away. We suggest turning off all T.Vs and Computers about an hour or so before bed. This way, your body can calm itself down before you call it a night. A BONUS… you will also save energy during these “wallet thinning” times. : )

Tip #4 Rub a dub dub…DON’T BOTHER ME IN THE TUB!
As the hero of the holidays, you deserve to unwind and indulge yourself this year. At least twice a week take some time before bed and treat yourself to a nice warm bubble bath. Make sure aromatherapy candles are lit, the bubbles are thick - the works! Play your favorite relaxing music and tell yourself all the chaos is worth it. By making time for yourself you will feel good and the ambiance of the bubble bath with transport you to into a sense of Zen and tranquility. This will help you to doze off after your soothing soak and stay asleep longer.

Tip # 5 OMMM…UMMMM
Mediation is not just for yoga enthusiasts! Mediation is also a great way to get to sleep faster, and you don’t have to get yourself into a “downward dog” or sit cross-legged either. Before you turn in for the night, bring in some lavender-smelling soaps or lotions-anything with the lavender sent. Even dryer sheets that smell this way can be placed in your pillow case to help you sleep. Lavender is a natural sleep aid and it helps your body to relax. (Try to avoid candles, only because if you fall asleep before blowing them out then, well you know what could happen.) Well, once you have your aromatherapy, lay down on the bed with the lights and T.V. off. Put on relaxing music at a low volume. Then just lay down in bed as if you were going to sleep. Close your eyes and take several deep breathes until you feel as if you are sinking into the bed. Then, think back to all the good things that happened that day. If it was a bad day, think of the last good thing that happened to you. Replay the memories in your head until you drift off. This will insure that you fall asleep happy which will make for a more positive resurrection and hopefully the start of a wonderful day!

If you use these tips (they can be combined!) your Yule tide season will be spent enjoying yourself and your family, instead of thinking about how tired and stressed you are.

GET YOUR Z’s, EVEN WITH THE IN-LAWS IN TOWN

It’s the Holidays! And they seemed to sneak up on us like the effects of eating too much Thanksgiving dinner. The Holidays always come and go too fast but there is one thing that happens during these festive times that you wish would go by a lot faster. That is, the inevitable visit of… dun dun dun…In-laws! If you luck out they stay in a hotel but what happens when they want to stay with you?! Whether you are a husband or a wife, the Holidays always seem like the worst time to take in your spouse’s parents, but it is also the time you can never say no. These times are spent running around like a crazy person making sure all the gifts are bought and the food gets prepared. The last thing anyone wants to think about is where their guests are going to sleep. Sure you can put them on the couch, but what if old man in-law has a bad back? Or mommy-in law prefers to sleep in a bed next to her husband? In the endless battle to please everyone, un-needed stress can occur and really put a damper on the holidays. Thankfully for everyone out there, we have some tips for you to use when forced to put up those crazy –in laws of yours.

Tip #1: Kick your kid out!
If you have a kid or teen, make them sleep on the couch. They won’t mind, plus it is a good way for you to get them to clean their room. Just tell them “company is coming and they need to sleep in your room so you have to clean it so it looks nice for grandma and grandpa” My parents used this on me all the time and I was always forced to make my room spotless. Also, the kids won’t mind sleeping on the couch for the night, whereas the in-laws might.

Tip #2: Cozy up a futon
Futons can be purchased for a reasonable price and can actually be a comfortable temporary bed if you give it a little TLC. First, if you need to purchase one, make sure it is made with foam instead of cotton. It is more comfortable for an extended amount of time. Then, put either a mattress pad or inflatable mattress over the futon and use a down comforter to keep them warm. They will make any bed feel more comfortable. Futons may sound out-dated, but they have great potential if you just cozy it up a bit. The unexpected comfort may even be the talk of the holiday dinner. (you never know)

Tip #3: Pull out the pull-out bed
If you would rather use a pull-out bed instead of a futon… great. There are some similar tips you can implement to make sure your in-laws are happy. First, flip the mattress from the last use. When someone sleeps on the mattress in one spot for too long, it creates a section that sinks in. If people have slept in it before, it would definitely be a good idea to give that baby a flip over so it’s almost like new. Another thing to consider is purchasing an air mattress to fit the hide-a-bed "frame".  Then put the air mattress over the current mattress and voila!  You have an even more comfortable nest for the in-laws.  Then, decorate with the softest sheets you have and a cozy, yet elegant down or other thick comforter. Add pillows, blankets, and maybe even a fuzzy stuffed animal to make them think you put extra thought into it. ; )


Tip #4: Sweeten up your guests
Here is one way to really please your holiday guests. Before they come, ask them in regular conversation what their favorite candy is. Get a response from each parent and then go to the store to get each one. When you are putting the bed together, put their favorite candy in a candy dish to put on a table or nightstand next to the bed. It works best if you have one at each end so the guests feel extra special. Put gossip or other female magazines on your partner’s mom’s side and some sports magazines on the dad’s side. They will feel so special and realize that you really are excited that they are there (even if you’re not). That, along with the bed, futon, or your kids room that you spruce up, the in-laws will be very pleased. And we all know happy in-laws mean happy holidays.

Tip #5: YOU RELAX!
We know this time is hard and stressful. But it is also the time to be with family and you should all be able to relax! Don’t take on too much and remember… the guests are only temporary, so have fun with it. Stay up late talking, play games, and make hot chocolate. Remember, now that your in-laws are setup for a nice night of slumber, you’re also setup for a relaxing night of Zzzz’s too. The holiday season only comes once a year so step back, relax, and take it all in.  Just hope your in-laws don't want to sleep in the same bed as you like THIS guy.