What You Should Do Every Morning

Mornings matter. How you start the day has a huge effect on the rest of your day.

It’s the reason we say, “Someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed” when they have a foul attitude.

Curating a morning routine will go a long way towards improving your health – mental, physical, and emotional.

Here are ten things experts recommend doing every morning.

Wake Up at the Same Time

I’m going to give the tip that may the hardest tip of all first – wake up at the same time every day. And wake up earlier rather than later.

According to Women’s Health, “Research has shown that being a ‘morning person’ has major benefits for your health. Studies have shown that waking up earlier makes you feel happier and healthier, boosts your immune system, improves productivity and helps you maintain a healthy weight.”

Set an alarm on your phone and place your phone out of reach. This serves two purposes. 1 – You won’t be able to hit snooze. 2 – You won’t be able to scroll first thing in the AM.

Make Your Bed

It’s good to start your day with a win. Here’s an easy one – make your bed!

This simple activity will make you feel better about your To Do list and the day ahead.

Let the Light In

A simple habit I’ve developed is starting my day by letting the light in. I pull back the shades and open the blinds.

This signifies to my mind and body that the day has started. Plus, it has medical benefits.

Women’s Health reports, “Research out of Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine shows that those who are exposed to natural light earlier in the morning have lower BMIs regardless of diet, exercise, and other lifestyle factors.”

Stretch and Move

I’ll be honest. The older I get, the more my body needs stretching first thing in the morning. And that’s not a bad thing!

It’s wise to start your day with movement. Get your endorphins so you begin the day on a natural high with energy.

Wash Your Face

It doesn’t matter if you shower in the evening or the morning – you need to wash your face in the morning.

Not only is it good for your skin, but it is also good for your whole person. A few minutes of self-care in the morning is critical.

Drink Water

We all know the importance of drinking water, but many of us start our journey towards eight glasses a day later in the day. We should really start drinking water first thing in the morning.

According to NBC News, “We get dehydrated overnight (especially if nature calls and you’re using the bathroom in the pre-dawn hours) […] A glass or two of H2O first thing helps replenish your body’s hydration stores. It also starts your metabolism on the right foot (since the body relies on water to keep all your digestive processes running smoothly).”

Enjoy a Cup of Coffee

Take time each money to enjoy a cup of coffee. The key here is to enjoy it. The point isn’t drinking coffee – it is spending a few minutes to slow down and savor something before the busyness of the day fully begins.

Eat Breakfast at Home

In the past, I was guilty of grabbing something small and eating breakfast on the go. I have since learned that I feel better if I eat a healthy breakfast at home. It’s a great way to get your metabolism going and helps you eat something healthier than fast food on the go.

Meditate

Taking just a few minutes to sit, pause, and meditate makes a big difference. Women’s Health points out, “Research has found that practicing meditation is basically the holy grail for health, helping to reduce stress, manage anxiety, increase productivity, help weight loss, motivate you to exercise and make you a nicer person.”

Write or Review Your To Do List

The last thing I do before I head out the door is check my To Do list. Knowing what I need to do that day helps me make a plan and get busy.

What is your morning routine?

Summer Survival for Working Moms

Summer is here and the living is easy. Or is it?

Summer should be fun and relaxing, but for working moms, summer can be challenging.

Most working moms don’t get several weeks of vacation during the summer, which means they have to find ways to work and take care of their kids.

If these moms work from home, it means saying goodbye to the silence they’ve been accustomed to and hello to endless distractions.

It doesn’t have to be this way!

Here are several tips to help you not only survive summer as a working mom but also thrive!

Enroll the Kids in Camp

I am a huge fan of summer camps. They allow kids to have fun, learn, and grow in safe spaces while giving working moms the help they so desperately need.

We've signed up the kids for four weeks of summer camp at Chelsea Piers. They offer a variety of sports and world-class facilities for kids to pursue their passions and explore their athletic abilities.

Here are 5 Reasons to Enroll Your Kids at Chelsea Piers Summer Camp

Make a Summer Routine

Summer is easier with a routine.

We don’t make a super rigid routine, but it does help for my girls to know what is expected of them every day.

We have a modified chore chart for the summer months, and they have school tasks, such as summer reading.

We also make space for fun in our schedule, such as Monday Movie Nights.

Use Summer as a Learning Opportunity

Since my girls have a little extra time in the summer, I try to use it as a learning opportunity.

For example, I have my daughters cook one night each week to teach them some basic cooking skills.

Host Friends

When I work from home, I have found it is easier if my kids have a distraction rather than being a distraction.

One of the best ways I have found to distract them is to host their friends over.

It may sound crazy, but when my girls are playing happily with their friends, they are quieter and bother me less.

Get Things to Keep Kids Occupied

I believe summer is the time when you should splurge on that special toy or device that they’ve been begging for.

If the new Nintendo Switch will keep them busy, I’m all for it.

If the added subscription to Discovery + allows them to binge watch Animal Planet, go for it.

Ask Kids for Summer Must-Do List

As a working mom, your time is limited.

I want to give my girls a fun summer, but it simply isn’t possible to do everything they want with my work schedule.

That’s why I start each summer by asking them to make a summer bucket list – or a list of summer must-dos.

Set Up Snack Bins

One thing that surprises my every summer is how quickly my girls empty out the snack cabinet.

To help with this issue, I set up snack bins.

These bins are set up each week so my girls can easily get the snacks they want, but they can also see how many snacks they have for the rest of the week.

Take Vacation Days

Finally, make sure you take your vacation days! Summer is busy, but you deserve time off to have some fun with your family.

What tips do you have for surviving summer as a working mom?

End of the School Year Survival Tips

We’re coming up on the end of the school year, which tends to feel like the longest, hardest stretch of the entire year.

My girls are finished. They are ready for summer, and so am I. We are so thankful for a relatively normal school year compared to the last couple of years.

But we are tired.

Hours feel like days. Days feel weeks. Weeks feel like months.

How do you finish strong when you just feel done?

Here are my tips for surviving the end of the school year.

1. Say No Often

May and June can feel busier than December. There are school concerts, award ceremonies, and parties.

On top of all the busyness happening during the school hours, there are tons of activities taking place after school, such as recitals.

If you don’t have time to do anything extra during these final few weeks of school, just say no.

2. Utilize a Family Calendar

Again, there are so many events parents are expected to be at. This is especially hard for working parents.

Make sure you utilize a family calendar so that you can divide and conquer the end of the school year sprint.

3. Create an End of the Year Countdown

Give your family a reason to keep going. Create an end of the year countdown calendar.

4. Stay Focused on the Goal

When you are tired and ready to call it quits, stay focused on the goal. And help your kids stay focused.

Remind them why they go to school and why they need to keep learning until the last day.

5. Prepare Teacher Gifts

Don’t let teacher gifts sneak up on you.

Go ahead and buy the gift cards, order the personalized gift, or write the thank you card.

6. Stick to Your Routine

Don’t let your normal routine fall to the wayside.

Stick to what’s worked all year.

Now is not the time to let kids stay up past bedtime or start doing homework in front of the TV.

7. Book Summer Camps

Summer camps are going to be back in full force this summer, so you should expect them to fill up quickly.

If you haven’t booked summer camps yet, now is the time.

Plus, this gives your kids something to look forward to and help them continue working hard.

8. Plan Summer Vacations

Like summer camps, travel experts are expecting summer travel to increase.

According to Destination Analysts, “Overall enthusiasm for leisure travel and the number of anticipated leisure trips in 2022 are also on the rise. This week 72.8% of Americans expressed higher levels of excitement for their prospective travel future—reaching the highest level it's been since the Omicron wave began.”

9. Clean Out Bookbags

If your kids are anything like mine, their bookbags are a mess.

They bring home all sorts of papers I need to see and sign – the end of the year seems to have double the usual amount.

Make sure you stay on top of daily bookbag cleanings to avoid missing out on important information.

10. Restock Supplies

Remember, school is not over yet.

Check with your child’s teacher and see if any school supplies are needed. Pencils, paper, and tissues tend to be running really low at the end of the year.

Cleaning Tips for Moms Without Maids

As much as I would love a regular cleaning service, I've chosen to do as much of the cleaning as I can so I can spend my money on bags and shoes.

As a busy working mom, there are times when it is hard to stay on top of the housework. However, I have found some ways to keep my house clean without losing my mind through trial and error.

NOTE - While I love a clean house, I have also learned to accept imperfection. There are seasons when life is busier, and the house is messier. If you are in one of those seasons, don't beat yourself up.

Here are the things I am doing to keep my house clean without a maid.

Create a Cleaning Schedule

One of the most effective ways to keep my house clean and presentable is to keep a cleaning schedule. So I planned out certain days when I could do regular household chores.

Monday – Living Room and Shared Spaces
Tuesday – Bedrooms
Wednesday – Kitchen
Thursday – Bathrooms
Friday – Floors and Dusting
Weekends – Deep Cleaning Needs

When we stick to this schedule, it takes away the pressure to do everything at once.

Enlist Family Help

Someone told me when my girls were babies that instead of waiting to clean while they were sleeping, to do the cleaning when they were awake and watching. This teaches kids the importance of cleaning (and how to clean).

As a result, my girls have seen me clean our home since they were little, and now they are big enough to help.

My husband and I have also talked about which chores we hate and which ones we love and delegated them accordingly. For example, my husband hates cleaning bathrooms, but he doesn't mind doing dishes. I hate doing dishes, so we trade these chores with one another.

Whistle While You Work

Cleaning your home is so much better if you find ways to make it enjoyable. When the whole family is cleaning together, such as Saturday morning deep cleanings, we play music and dance and sing as we clean. When I am cleaning on my own, I put on a podcast or audiobook.

Make a Quick Cleanup Part of Your Evening Routine

Deep cleaning Saturdays haven't been as bad or time-consuming since we started making 15-minute cleanups part of our evening routine. After dinner, we spend 15 minutes picking up from the day. Someone in our home is doing the dishes while the others walk around, pick up things, and put them where they belong. Someone else is busy wiping down the counters.

Embrace a Less is More Philosophy

The more stuff you have to clean, the harder it will be. That's why I've embraced the idea that "less is more." Years ago, I started following the idea of one thing in, one thing out – and it has made a huge difference! Whenever I make a purchase, I follow it with a donation. It keeps my closets from overflowing and my shelves from turning into mounds of clutter.

Get the Right Tools

If you don't have the right cleaning tools, you'll make more work for yourself. We have a robot vacuum and a robot map, and both were well worth every penny. But it's more than just fancy electronic gadgets. I also invest in quality cleaning products, such as Clorox. When I'm cleaning my home, I love to use @Clorox products, and I'm excited they've launched another sustainable option with the NEW Clorox Multi-Purpose Refillable Cleaners! With the recyclable pods, I can use my bottle up to 30 times, which means 80% less plastic waste - not to mention, it's easier on my wallet too!

Do you have any cleaning tips to share?

10 Things to Catch Up On This Spring Break

Whenever spring break hits, I am in shock and awe that we are almost at the end of another school year. And I am even more alarmed by all the good intentions I had at the start of the school year that have not happened yet.

I am all about traveling over spring break, but there are years when it is wiser to stay home. So if that is you this year, use the days off to catch up on the many things you have wanted to do but just haven’t gotten around to.

Here are ten things on my spring break catch up list.

1. TV Shows

I suffer serious television FOMO. And I have a lot of it because there are so many good shows and so little time! I hope to find time this spring break to binge watch one of the popular series I have heard so much about.

2. Books

I read a lot before I had kids. Now that my girls are older, they give me a bit more space. Over spring break, I’d like to finally finish that book that I have started and put down a hundred times.

3. Taxes

Doing taxes isn’t my favorite thing, but they must be done. I look forward to knocking this boring task out during spring break.

4. Friendships

If you are anything like me, you have good intentions of getting together with your girlfriends, inviting that family over for dinner, and checking in with that long-lost friend… but life got in the way, and those things haven’t happened yet. Over spring break, I hope to find times for friendship.

5. Scheduling Appointments

One of my least favorite chores is calling and scheduling all the appointments moms need to schedule (various doctor’s appointments, dental appointments, etc.). I want to set aside a chunk of time to schedule all the appointments in the near future.

6. Outdoor Landscaping

Spring always makes me want to spend all my time outdoors. But after winter, my yard is in bad shape. And I don’t have the time to clean it up on the weekends. Over spring break, I want to clean it up and turn my backyard back into an oasis.

7. Indoor Cleaning

Spring break is a great time to do some spring cleaning. I plan to get the whole family involved so we can tackle our spring break list in no time.

8. Renovations and Makeovers

If you aren’t traveling, spring break is a wonderful time to finally do the home projects sitting on the back burner. Use your time off to renovate a bathroom or give your kid a bedroom makeover.

9. Summer Planning

Nothing makes you more ready to plan a summer vacation than a spring break spent at home! Use that motivation to your advantage! Go ahead and plan the perfect summer vacation. Book your tickets and start a countdown. And don’t forget to sign your kids up for summer camp.

10. Wardrobe Swap

Spring break is also the perfect time to swap your cold weather wardrobe for your warm weather wardrobe. Donate the clothes that no longer fit or have gone out of style. Look through your warm weather wardrobe and take note of what is missing. Then, go shopping!

How to Say No the Right Way

One of the biggest struggles for many women is saying no. I struggled with saying no, but I have gotten much better about it over time. However, I had to recognize that it was hard for me to say no first, then I had to be intentional about saying no. I know I’m not the only one.

According to The Swaddle, “Human relations and interactions are quite reliant on reciprocity, which makes us feel that not obliging socially, will threaten our bonds with people. […] Amid our struggles to fit in and be liked by our peers, we worry that saying ‘no’ might make those same peers reject us. The fear of saying no also stems from the urge to avoid conflicts, or confrontation. Another reason why people tend to worry about saying no is because they don’t want to disappoint others, or hurt their feelings.”

If you relate, use the following tips to learn how to master the art of saying no.

Know How To Identify A Clear No

First things first – you need to know when saying no is the correct answer. Here are two ideas I use to help me decide if my answer is a yes or a no.

• If it’s not a hell yes, it’s a no. I’ve found this one is especially helpful for social activities. For example, “Hell yes, I want to go to brunch!” versus “Yeah sure, I’ll go to dinner on Friday after a super busy work week.”

• Whenever you say “yes” to something, you say “no” to something else. Or vice versa. Saying no to staying later at work means yes to dinner at home with the kids. Saying yes to a relaxing day at the spa with my girlfriends means saying no to Saturday morning chores. What do you need more?

Remind Yourself It Is Okay to Say No

It is much easier to say no if you know and truly understand it is okay to do so. Ask any woman who has burned herself completely out from saying yes too many times. Remind yourself it is okay to say no and that if someone doesn’t accept your no, you don’t need that kind of toxic person in your life anyway.

Add a Compliment

People are more receptive to the word “no” if it is cushioned with a compliment.

For example, “You do such an amazing job with this charity event every year, but unfortunately, I am unable to participate this year.”

Be Gracious

Treat being asked as an honor instead of a burden.

For example, “Thank you so much for thinking of me! While I would love to support the school in this way, I don’t have the space in my calendar this spring.”

Provide a Reason

While I don’t think you owe it to anyone, providing a reason is a good way to ensure the person asking will drop it. With that being said, don’t give them the whole story if you don’t want (or need) to.

For example, “I have to say no. I am swamped with work, extracurriculars, and taking care of my aging parents.”

Get to the Point Without Being Rude

There are some moments when a short and sweet no is all that is required, such as when you are asked to do something by a stranger.

For example, “Sorry, but no” or “Sorry, but I can’t help with that.”

Consider the Future

If you genuinely would like to say yes but simply can’t for some reason, leave the door open for the future.

For example, “Sadly, I have to say no. My weekends are booked for March, but please ask me again in April.”

Say Yes With Boundaries

There may be times when you want to say yes, but you also know you can’t say yes to everything.

For example, “I can help, but I will need to leave no later than 11.”

Think On It

When you are put on the spot, don’t say yes or no. Instead, simply ask for more time.

“I’ll get back to you” or “I’ll let you know.”

The key here is to really think about it and not use it as a brush-off. Use the time to decide if it is a yes or no. Then, if the answer is no, figure out which strategy to use.

How to Hygge as a Mom

It's Hygge time! Pronounced hoo-guh, it's the Danish/Norwegian tradition of being comfy/cozy and enjoying a wonderful time with loved ones, wrapped in a blanket (or blankets), and just celebrating being together.

Hygge has become popular over the last few years in the U.S. as Americans search for the happiness that seems to come so easily to Danes.

According to Very Well Mind, “Happiness researchers continually find Denmark to have some of the happiest people on Earth, which Danes attribute to the practice of hygge.”

Hygge, a Danish word defined as "a quality of coziness and comfortable conviviality that engenders a feeling of contentment or well-being.”

While increased happiness is a major benefit of practicing Hygge, it is not the only one. It also promotes a sense of calm, peace, and safety, which is good for our overall well-being.

You may be thinking, “But I have kids! Calm and peace aren’t exactly part of our family’s vocabulary.”

It is possible to Hygge as a mom.

Here are some tips to bring that sense of calm, peace, comfort, and coziness into your own home.

Carve Out Time and Space

As a mom, my calendar is always booked well out in advance. This makes practicing Hygge as a family difficult.

However, knowing the benefits of Hygge, I am trying to carve out time and space in my calendar and home.

This means not overly booking my calendar or maxing out my To-do lists.

It also means having spaces already prepared for relaxation.

It’s so much easier to relax on the couch and watch a movie with my daughters if the living room is clean and clutter-free. (I can’t relax with clutter. Raise your hand if you feel me.)

Not About Buying Stuff…But This Stuff Helps

It is important to understand that Hygge is not about consumerism – even though plenty of retailers will try to sell it. Hygge cannot be sold or bought. This is because it is a feeling.

Pia Edberg, the author of The Cozy Life, tells Mental Floss, "‘There are studies about how hygge in Denmark shies far away from consumerism,’ Instead of stocking up on mass-produced items, decorate your home with furniture and accents that are meaningful to you. Edberg says this could mean the items were given to you as gifts, you purchased them on your travels, or they are antiques with a rich history.”

With that being said, there are some practical things you can use that make Hygge easier. If you don’t own these items, you don’t have to spend a ton.

• Lighting: Make your home feel cozy by avoiding harsh lighting. Instead, choose to use dimmers, floor lamps, or candles.

• Soft Textures: The goal of Hygge is to feel comfortable and cozy, so look for textures that create these feelings. Purchase loungewear that feels soft and buttery against your skin.

• Warmth: While sitting in front of a fireplace is ideal, that may not be an option for you. Instead, look for other ways to create warmth, such as thick throws or heated blankets. It is also a good idea to set up a hot beverage bar.

Be Present

Most importantly, be present.

As much as retailers will try to convince you that Hygge is about products, it is really a feeling.

And that feeling is found by being present with the people you love.

Turn off your devices and tune into one another.

Do you have any tips to add? Share them in the comments!

8 Tips to Make Mornings Easier

For years, mornings were chaos in our household. Between getting myself ready for work and my girls ready for school, there was always something being forgotten, and I always felt rushed. There was frustration and tears regularly. I finally said, “Enough is enough.” I needed to take back my mornings, so this is what I did.

1. Pre-Pack Lunches

Instead of trying to get the kids dressed and make lunches in the morning, I started pre-packing lunches the night before. As my girls got older, I passed this chore along to them. This one little trick saved us so much time in the mornings!

Bonus – we also winded up packing better, healthier lunches because we weren’t rushing and just throwing anything into the lunchbox.

2. Get Clothes Ready Ahead of Time

Similar to pre-packing lunches, I now get all of our clothes laid out ahead of time. I’m talking everything – down to my daughter’s underwear and accessories. I’ve seen some moms use a set of plastic drawers or a hanging closet divider to put together an entire week’s worth of clothes for this purpose.

3. Keep a Notepad by Your Bed

Every night before I go to sleep, I take no more than 5 minutes to jot down my to-do list for the next day. I do this for two reasons.

#1 – It helps prevent me from losing sleep thinking about what I have to do the next day.

#2 – When I wake up in the morning, I can quickly glance at the list to see if there is anything that must be done before I leave the house in the morning.

4. Make an Easy Breakfast

One thing I can count on is @justcrackanegg Omelet Rounds in the mornings! My daughters love the All American and the Classic omelet rounds.

All I have to do is remove the film, pop the tray in the microwave for 50 seconds - then let it sit for 2 minutes and my daughters can enjoy them straight out of the package or on the go for a quick breakfast snack!

Doesn't get easier than this and I can focus on getting ready for work!

5. Use a Better Alarm

If you hate waking up to an annoying beeping alarm clock, change it up! Everyone dreads that harsh beeping alarm. Instead, find a song that you love (that you won’t sleep through) and use this as your alarm. I guarantee you’ll wake up happier.

6. Say No to Devices

I’ll just admit it. I used to have a bad habit of checking my phone before I went to sleep and as soon as I woke up. This didn’t do me any favors. It did the opposite. I wasted so much time that could have been better spent. So now, I don’t open my phone in the mornings (besides turning off the alarm and checking the time).

7. Have a Designated Drop-Off Spot

After spending way too many mornings rushing around trying to find missing shoes and lost school papers, I created a designated drop-off spot for shoes, bookbags, purses, and keys right by our front door. It took just a few days for my kids to get in the habit of using this spot and it has made a huge difference!

8. Get Yourself Ready First

My final tip is a simple one – get yourself ready first. Just like you are told on a flight, you need to put your own oxygen mask on first. This may mean you have to get up earlier than your kids to get ready, but it will be worth it.

What Working Moms Need and Want in 2021

It’s no secret that 2020 was a beast of a year for working moms. All at once, the balance we fought so hard for as working moms was upended and we found ourselves back at home trying to do everything all at once. It was simply too much.

According to McKinsey’s 2020 Women in the Workplace report, “One in four working women in North America said that they were considering downshifting their careers or dropping out of the workforce entirely. For working mothers, and particularly those with young children, the number was one in three.”

That’s a problem – not just for working moms but also for companies. McKinsey explains, “We know that women’s advancement in the workforce matters; companies with more women executives are more likely to outperform those with fewer senior women.”

So, now that we are halfway into 2021, what do working moms need and want as they return to the workforce? This is what I’m finding.

Remote Work Potential

I’d be lying if I said I wanted to work remotely forever. I love my kids but going to work is kinda nice.

However, as a working mom, I need and want the ability to work remotely as needed. Kids get sick, get quarantined from school, and need someone to stay with them on teacher workdays. Not having to take off work to be with them and still get some work done is ideal.

We’ve seen it’s possible, so now we want it.

Meaningful Work

One thing the stress of working in 2020 taught me is the importance of meaningful work.

Being forced to go into the office for something pointless was a waste of time and super frustrating.

Larina Lee explains in Forbes, “In a hybrid world, put more intentionality on what’s done in the office and what’s done remotely. What are the meetings that have to be in person? Signal to people when it matters. The hardest thing for a working mom—everything’s an emergency.”

Employers need to provide working moms with meaningful work and be intentional with their requests.

Positive Work Environments

Another thing working moms need and want is a positive work environment. We don’t want to work in a stuffy workplace with hostile employees.

Our time is valuable. We don’t want to dread going into work, and the best way to do this is to make us WANT to go into the work.

Inc. reports, “academic studies suggest that employees who feel more positive emotions at work are more engaged, and thus, are less likely to leave the organization.”

Supportive Employers

I love this quote I found on Working Mothers: “You’ve never met a loyal employee until you’ve met a working mom with a great boss.”

Supportive employers make all the difference for working moms. We need a boss who will listen and be empathetic.

Unsupportive employers are feeling the loss of many outstanding female employees. According to Indeed, “70% of the women who cut hours or quit report a lack of support from their employers when juggling work and home life during the pandemic.”

In contrast, the majority of women who continued working during the pandemic reported their managers were sympathetic to challenges, patient, and offered emotional support (sometimes as simple as just asking employees what they could do to help).

Are you feeling the same way? Have what you need and want from your job changed over the past year? Share your thoughts!

12 Tips to Help You Go to Sleep Faster

If you are like many moms, going to sleep isn’t always easy. As tired as we are, we lay in bed tossing and turning before we fall asleep. And we need all the sleep we can get! Sleep is important for our overall physical and mental health. So, if you struggle with falling asleep, implement these 12 tips to help you go to sleep faster.

1. Make Your Bedroom Relaxing

Your bedroom should be designed to be a place of rest. You should feel soothed as soon as you enter it. Opt for soft colors and subtle patterns rather than anything bold or flashy. And, keep it clean. A cluttered and messy bedroom will only increase your anxiety, making it more difficult to fall asleep.

2. Wind Down

Every evening before you head to bed, do something relaxing. Take time to wind down. Whether you choose to take a nice bath, read a book, or listen to quiet music, do something that makes you feel a bit sleepier.

3. Disconnect and Say No to Blue Light

If you are anything like the rest of America, then the last thing you look at before you go to bed is your phone. This is the exact wrong thing to do if you want to go to sleep faster! Not only will the scrolling keep you alert, but our cell phones use blue light which messes with our body’s natural sleep rhythms.

My advice – Put your phone in a different room out of reach, such as your master bathroom. Not only will this prevent you from looking at it before you go to bed and as soon as you wake up, but it will also force you to get up to turn off your phone alarm in the morning.

4. Invest in Quality Bedding

Yes, those high thread count sheets are worth it. So is the fancy mattress topper and the expensive pillow.

5. Follow a Sleep Schedule

Teach yourself to fall asleep faster by going to bed around the same time every night and waking up around the same time.

6. Avoid Caffeine in the Afternoon

Most of us need a morning jolt of caffeine, but if we drink it throughout the day (such as stopping at Target for a mid-day latte), we will feel it when we try to go to bed. Experts recommend avoiding caffeine after lunch.

7. Dim the Lights

A little before your regular bedtime start to dim the lights. For example, close the curtains and switch from full lights to dimmer lamps.

8. Block Out the Noise

If you are not already using a white noise app or machine, now is the time to start. These things are amazing with blocking out noise so you can sleep soundly.

9. Keep a Notepad on the Nightstand

One reason many moms have trouble going to sleep is that we have so much on our minds. Our brains are so full of stuff all the time! A fix for this issue is to keep a notepad on your nightstand where you can jot down your thoughts before you go to bed (such as tomorrow’s to-do list).

10. Lower the Temperature

According to Healthline, “If your room is too warm, you might have a hard time falling asleep. Setting your thermostat to a cool temperature between 60–67°F (15.6–19.4°C) could help.”

11. Take Melatonin

The supplement melatonin can help regulate your sleep. Healthline explains, “Doses of 0.5–5 mg taken 2 hours before your desired bedtime, which is usually around 8 to 9 p.m. for most individuals, might improve sleep quality.”

12. Watch What You Eat and Drink

Be careful about what you eat and drink before bed. For example, if you eat something heavy before trying to go to sleep, you’ll struggle. Likewise, if you eat something like chocolate, which has caffeine, you’ll struggle. Also, some people think drinking alcohol will help them sleep. This is false. It may make them fall asleep faster, but they will wake up throughout the night.