Sleep: The Foundation of Our Health
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By: Sarah Bay
I never set out to become a sleep coach. In fact, sleep was never even on my radar and most certainlysomething I didn’t think twice about.
Until I wasn’t getting any.
Like many of you, I had a child and was told:
“You can kiss sleep good-bye”
“You’ll sleep again when she’s eighteen”
“Get used to being exhausted”
But, as I drifted zombie-fied through the first eight months of her life, I realized, there has got to be a better way, both for her and for me. If I’m not sleeping because of her, then she’s not sleeping either. In my haze, I had to convince myself of this very obvious truth.
Enter: Sleep Training.
I read every book on baby sleep under the sun until I soon noticed that I was even more confused than when I started. Every author told me something different and none of them knew me or my child. So, I did it myself, based on snippets from each process that I learned along the way. And, it worked.
Fast forward six years and I now believe, with every fiber in my being, that sleep is the true foundation to our health. Yes, it matters what we put into our bodies. And, yes, it’s vitally important that we move our bodies. But, without sleep, we cannot effectively digest and process the foods we eat, nor can we move in a way that cares for and inspires our bodies.
Children need between 10 and 12 hours of sleep per night. Adults need between 8 and 9 hours. We hear those numbers all the time, but do we really focus on ensuring that we do what’s best for our bodies and our children’s bodies? I’ll be the first to admit, not always.
So, as we head into the holiday season, when life is notoriously busy, chaotic and non-stop, do something good for yourself and your family. Focus on sleep. Get enough for yourself. Get your kids to bed at a time that allows them to be rested and fueled for school and the wonderment of this season.
If you find yourself struggling with the sleep of your little one, contact me at 8straightsleep@gmail.com or 8straightsleep.com. I can help you teach your child the joys of happy and healthy sleep that benefits the entire family.