5 ways to deal with sleep deprivation
https://www.kinderling.com.au/news/5-ways-to-deal-with-sleep-deprivation
Sleep, glorious sleep. Oh how we miss it when it’s gone. Sleep deprivation is used as a form of torture and you can understand why. It can impair cognitive function, cause headaches and memory loss. Have you left your keys in the front door recently? Sleep impacts both your physical and emotional state and should not be underestimated. In the first year of parenting, the reality of how little sleep parents actually get can come as a shock. So, is there any way to properly prepare for it?
According to sleep psychologist, Liora Kempler, our expert on the Sleep episode of Bodyshock – our new Kinderling Kids Radio and Babyology podcast – it’s worth readying yourself during pregnancy for how your sleep will be affected.
“The only thing that can really help you is setting your expectations to a realistic place. To know that you will be woken frequently,” says Liora.
Listen to Liora on Bodyshock (warning: some adult language)
Some new parents wear their lack of sleep like a badge of honour, embracing the bags under their eyes, and are quick to tell family and friends they’ve only had a couple of hours shut eye. Liora recommends treading carefully on the complain-train.
“One of the things we often advise insomnia patients to do is to stop telling people how little sleep they have had,” she says.
The psychologist and mum of two also warns against the standard ‘sleep when your baby sleeps’ advice. “As soon as you pressure yourself to sleep in a very small window of time, you just end up lying there stressed.”
Here are a few more tips from Liora on dealing with lack of sleep:
1. Distract yourself
Take yourself for a morning walk, make plans to see some friends and get out and about. “Don’t get me wrong, it’s really hard and you can feel really exhausted, but you can probably cope with less sleep than you thought you could before you had the baby.”
2. Hello, sunshine
“Getting some morning sun is a nice way to feel more awake during the day. If you really don’t have the energy to go for a walk, just sit and have your breakfast in the sun. Something that is just outdoors.”
3. Rest up
Rest when the baby sleeps, not (necessarily) sleep when the baby sleeps. Take it as an opportunity to rest your body and your mind.
4. Accept help
When family and friends offer to take the baby for a walk while you have a nap, don’t be too proud to accept it. The non-primary care-giver should be getting as much sleep as possible. Don’t begrudge them for sleeping through, see it as an opportunity for them to be well rested and help. They can get up early and look after the baby so mum can have a sleep in.
5. Look after yourself in other areas
It’s time to prioritise yourself and your baby. Eat healthily and drink lots of water. Focus on doing things for your metal and physical health.
For more information about Dr Liora Kempler and Sleep Pyschology visit: bumptobabysleep.com.au and isleephealth.com.au.
Hear more advice and sleep insights! Subscribe to Bodyshock, the Kinderling Radio and Babyology podcast, via iTunes, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
