Are You Tired, Exhausted, or Just Plain Sleep Deprived? Find out Here!
Author: Stef Daniel
Sleep deprivation is a medical condition that results from too little sleep. The condition can be either chronic or acute, and the consequences can be horrific. In new parents, sleep becomes a long lost friend, and the number one complaint among parents of babies is feeling tired and not getting enough sleep. Many of these same parents may not realize that their tiredness isn't getting better, and in fact, they are clinically sleep deprived.
Acute sleep deprivation occurs when you sleep less than required on a single night or short term basis. When this time frame lengthens, sleep deprivation becomes chronic. It is characterized by feeling drowsy after waking, and implications include sluggish mental performance, weight gain or loss, immune disorders, heart problems, diabetes, depression, and more. One study that compared two sets of drivers, the first group being intoxicated and the second group being sleep deprived, indicated that very similar effects in driving abilities were observed. Needless to say, sleep deprivation is a serious issue, and since many parents are the sufferers, they are putting their health and their child's safety at risk.
Raising children is difficult work. It requires every sensory vehicle in order to have the stamina to keep up with your children. Whether your baby is 2 months or 1 year old, they require constant attention, and many parents feel that they don't get a break. When they do, they spend the entirety of this time trying to 'get things done' and accomplish mounting to-do lists. You have to understand that many things will quite simply wait for you. It is essential as a parent that you take time outs to relax yourself and get away from your child for a bit. So many moms feel that they have to turn into this super mom and they sacrifice their own health and sanity in order to do so. For a while, this may, seem to be working; however, in the long run you will be angry, exhausted, moody, miserable, and will lack the energy you desire to be the kind of parent you want to be.
So, you're thinking… "Well, what can I do?" After all, you have to feed the baby, change the baby, and entertain the baby. You have to take care of the millions of other loose ends lying untied, and you have to stay up late just to get things done, spend time with your spouse, and watch something on television besides cartoons. The problem is while you may believe that it is all true, what is the cost? Do you want your child to grow up with a mom and dad who are easily agitated because they are so tired? Do you want to risk falling asleep behind the wheel? Do you want to spend the next five months not enjoying this very special time in your baby's life because you are too drowsy to make it through the day? Do you want to suffer from depression? You and your baby DESERVE more.
What you can do is take proactive steps to make sure you get enough rest. Set aside time during your day to relax. When the baby takes a nap, lie down for 20 minutes and close your eyes as well. Don't worry - laundry, dishes, paying the bills, etc will all wait for you. Go to bed at reasonable hours, and try to get yourself into a routine of bedtime and waking. Another thing that can help is to exercise every day. It may be a brisk walk while pushing the stroller or a jog around the neighborhood, but this will increase your serotonin and endorphin levels (feel good hormones) that help you sleep and feel good. Drink lots and lots of water throughout the day, and by all means, stay away from stimulants like coffee, tea, sodas, energy drinks, and diet pills. These only make things worse.
You can also start admitting to others and yourself when you need a break. If it has been weeks or a month since you have shopped without your baby, met up with friends, or done something that didn't entail taking care of your little one, hire a babysitter or allow the grandparents to take care of the baby for a few hours. This mental recharge of your batteries can go a long way in helping you sleep and feel good. Another tip is to take 20 minutes each day to vent and worry, and then succinctly leave it all behind. Most parents feel exhausted and then climb between the sheets only to find their mind is racing off into tomorrow. Have worry time where you write it down, worry about things, and then agree to let them go. Our troubles will wait for us, and if you can't solve it in the moment, there is no need risking your health think about it.
Sleep deprivation is something that can be avoided. If you drag through the daytime hours, you are being given a wake-up call. Perhaps the time has come to simplify your life and realize that what's important are you and your baby.
