4 Proven Tips To Sleep Better At Night

Having trouble sleeping at night? No worries! We are here to fix it for you, which is why you need to stick with us till the end and read all of what we say thoroughly. 

You see, a good night’s sleep is one of the most important things, and you shouldn’t compromise on it no matter what. No matter how much you exercise, no matter what your diet plan is, if you aren’t getting 6 to 8 hours of proper sleep, you won’t be able to function properly. According to research, poor sleep comes with negative effects on all of your body. From your hormones to your blood to your brain, it all gets affected when you just don’t get a good night’s sleep. 

In a nutshell, if you have been having this issue for a while now, then know that it’s not normal, and you have to take measures to fix it as soon as possible. What’s worse is that you can even gain weight due to a disturbed sleep cycle. But luckily, there are a few tips for better sleep, and that’s what we are going to talk about today. 

Today we are going to tell you about some of the best proven tips to sleep better at night, so do take notes. We assure you that with these tips, you’ll see the change yourself and you are just going to love it. 

1- Don’t Consume Caffeine At Night 

Have you heard someone say that they couldn’t sleep at night because they had a cup of coffee? Well, the chances are that you did, and it’s pretty much true because caffeine does keep you awake. What happens is that coffee stimulates your nervous system, and it makes it difficult for your body to relax naturally. This is the reason why a cup of coffee early in the morning can do wonders for you, but at night, it’s the worst thing to drink as it can mess up your sleep. 

2- Try Yoga 

Sometimes, people don’t realize that their nervous system isn’t relaxing naturally because their body is stressed. With a stressed body and brain, of course, you’ll have trouble sleeping, and this is where yoga can come in handy. Yes, you read that right! Yoga is great to start a productive day, and to end your day, all eased and relaxed. If you search the internet, you can easily find some yoga poses that will help you have a good night’s sleep. 

3- Don’t Eat Late 

Midnight snacks are out of the question. The fact is that if you want to have a good sleep, you shouldn’t even eat late in the evening. Late night meals can mess up both things, your sleep, and the release of HGH and melatonin in your body. The perfect time to have your dinner is 4 hours before you go to bed so that your body can easily break down all the energy from the food, and the rest gets digested just the way it’s supposed to. A healthy digestive system plays a massive role in providing you a good sleep at night. 

4- Take A Relaxing Bath/Shower

Take a bath if nothing’s working for you because this is a tried and tested fact that if you take a relaxing bath at the end of a hectic day, all the stress is relieved, and even your nervous system relaxes, which is where sleep jumps in. 

Conclusion

Try out these tips, and we can bet on the fact that things will work for you. Also, make sure to rise early in the morning and don’t stay awake till late, as this can also mess up your sleep cycle. 

Stocking Stuffers for the Holidays #GiftGuide

Looking for some useful ideas for the upcoming season? No need to spend money on items that no one will really use, true? Great for health, beauty, and sleep, here are a few thoughts for items that will fill a stocking as well as be used cheerfully.

Doctor Plotka™’s Travel Toothbrush

Check out the Travel Brush for foldable, easy storage and that extra clean feeling. Embedded with silver technology to eliminate 99.9% of bacteria build-up for up to 6 hours after brushing, you can keep those germs away while you show off your pearly whites all winter long. Available for $5.99. 

itSpray

Dream – This natural herbal sleep aid will help you fall and stay asleep. Unlike a solo melatonin supplement, this spray additionally includes a proprietary blend of 5HTP and Valerian Root to relieve your stress and anxiety. Use 10 minutes before going to bed and control your dose. Start with a few sprays and go from there — up to 14 in 24 hours. The formula is gluten-free with no fillers or binders, so it absorbs quickly. Available for $24.99. 

facepeels

Check out the new Rose Gold Easy Peel-Off Mask from 7th Heaven. It’s launching at Claire’s stores in November, and is going to fly off the shelves.

This cruelty-free, vegan easy peel off mask is an ultra-deep nourishing formula that minimizes the appearance of pores, tones and purifies skin. It’s like a weekly boost for the skin to keep it glowing and vibrant. This metallic peel-off mask features Damask Rose Water, White Tea and Moonstone – available in single-serve pouches for $1.99 each.
immune therapy
Immunity Blend from Guru Nanda is a small but mighty bottle full of goodness. It features seven different therapeutic grade, 100% pure and natural essential oils that help the body resist germs – clove, eucalyptus, rosemary, frankincense, lemon, oregano and tea tree.
Use it in an aromatherapy diffuser for a healthy, spa-like experience. Or dilute it with purified water and use as a spray for cleaning household surfaces.
teeth whitening kit
For whiter and brighter teeth for all those holiday photos, try Luster Pro Light Dental Whitening System is fantastic for anyone who loves coffee, tea or any dark beverages! It features a patented Dual Power Dual Power Xenon Whitening Light and Stain Lifting Serum to whiten teeth up to 6 shades in 30 minutes! It’s a clinically proven professional whitening system with no messy trays or strips. The system gently whitens without sulfates (SLS). Enamel-Safe. System includes: Dual-Energy Whitening Light, Accelerinse, Stain Lifting Serum, Power White Pro Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste – Mint. $43.99 at Lusterpremiumwhite.com

Dream better with these Children’s bedroom alterations

Your child’s bedroom should be a space that relaxes them and makes them feel safe and comfortable, to promote a restful night’s sleep. Tweaking their bedroom space can not only help to boost their sleep quality and duration but it can also help them to dream easier. The longer they sleep, the more REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep cycles they will have, and dreams typically happen in these cycles. Bedroom furniture experts, Room to Grow, share their top tips on how you can optimise your child’s bedroom space for sweet dreams:

 

 

  • Eliminate clutter

 

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and your children’s is theirs; it should be a relaxing and peaceful space. Clutter can distract from this and make falling asleep difficult. Spending the time to put things in their rightful place can have a big impact – make use of drawers, wardrobes and shelves! If you still find yourself struggling for space, check out the cabin beds for sale from Room to Grow, the useful integrated storage space will ensure clutter is a thing of the past!

 

  • The darker the better

 

Light and darkness are powerful cues that let our bodies know when it’s time to rest or to get up for a new day. The Sleep Foundation advise that light in the bedroom impacts quality of sleep; artificial light after dark can make it harder to fall asleep and to stay asleep. So, consider replacing your child’s curtains with blackout blinds to help keep their body in sleep mode. 

 

  • Invest in quality bed linen

 

When choosing your child’s bedding, as well as looking out for trending unicorn or space designs, it’s also important look out for fabrics with moisture-wicking properties such as cotton, silk and linen. These will absorb excess moisture and keep your child comfortable throughout the night. Synthetic materials have the opposite effect and can actually trap moisture, making them warmer, and disrupting sleep.

 

  • Comfortable mattress

 

A comfortable mattress is key for a good night’s sleep. The Better Sleep Council recommends mattresses are replaced every 7-10 years depending on comfort and support. Ask your child about their night’s sleep, if they wake up feeling achy, it may be a sign the mattress is lacking in support and is due a replacement.

 

  • The view from their bed 

 

Repositioning your child’s bed to offer a clear view of the door is an easy to make change and a simple calming technique. The Healthy Home explains it’ll help your child to drop their guard and to feel they’re in a protected space, hence, feeling they can relax into a peaceful night’s sleep. 

 

  • Bring the outdoors to the bedroom 

 

Not only do plants look great, but some can even help you sleep! Jasmine and Lavender are both known for their relaxing properties, making them an ideal addition for your child’s bedroom to help them wind down during their bed-time routine. Alternatively, a low maintenance option would be an Aloe Vera plant, known as a medicinal plant, it produces oxygen at night and will improve the air within their bedroom making for a more restful slumber! 

 

  • No screen zone

 

Televisions and the light they emit are not conductive for a good night’s sleep. Specifically, the ‘blue light’ they produce, which boosts attention and reaction times is counterproductive to getting your child to sleep. The National Sleep foundation has shown that the light suppresses melatonin production, making it harder to get to sleep and reducing the quality of sleep. 

To promote a sleep haven and the likelihood of good dreams, it is advisable to make the bedroom a ‘no screen zone’! Instead, mount a scenic, relaxing canvas to the wall – seeing something gratifying or inspiring before your child shuts their eyes will lessen any anxiety.

 

Bamboo Pillows by Relax Home Life

Bamboo might not sound like the best material to make a soft pillow out of, but these will prove you wrong.  This bamboo is made so that the end product is soft to the touch, but is firm and super comfortable to sleep on.  We were able to review two products by Relax Home Life.  The Bamboo pillow with shredded down alternative and the Foam Wedge Bamboo Pillow With 1.5″ Memory Foam Topper.

These both surpassed expectations. The foam wedge is perfect for those who end up falling asleep in bed watching tv or need relief from acid re-flux, GERD, heartburn, snoring, allergies, insomnia, migraines, neck and back pain, TMJ, and other digestive conditions.  The wedge slightly raises your upper body while keeping your lower body flat.  This slight raise makes a big difference relaxation wise and makes for a nice night’s sleep. Breathing is supported and so are your back and neck.  The top layer is made of 1.5” memory foam for better comfort, letting you experience a more comfortable, soft feel of the cushion. The bottom layer is a firm base foam which provides support.  The wedge is breathable and molds to any sleep position including back, side, and stomach sleeping.  The wedge can also be used to elevate your legs to relieve swelling or to support your stomach when you are pregnant.

Next up is the bamboo pillow with shredded down alternative.  This pillow is extra soft and contours to your head and neck.  The pillow gives you relief from neck stiffness, backache, insomnia and migraines, and could even help with snoring.  What we really like about the pillow is the double zipper design which allows you to make the pillow as tall as you like with a few simple adjustments and zips.  The pillow is great for people who like soft pillows which are also supportive and align to your neck and head.

Portable travel bed for your toddler – critical tips for choosing the best

Any parent that decided to remain active after they world has been turned upside down when they brought a child into the world knows the struggle.

The struggle of trying to balance between the needs and wants of your child and Sisyphean efforts to keep doing what you love doing. Traveling, hiking, whatever it is, chances are your schedule has suffered.

But when the moment comes and you can finally start bringing your toddler on trips, it’s crucial that you know what you’re doing when preparing for the trip.

So, instead of learning from your mistakes, in this guide will address one of the most important aspects to plan – SLEEP.

sleeping while traveling

It’s hard enough getting them to sleep as is, let alone in strange new place on a different bed.

But if you play your cards right, they might end up liking the new bed more then they like the one at home.

So, let’s dive right in and talk about the one thing that can make or break your trip – the choice of travel bed for your kid.

We’ll be analyzing the pros and cons of three main styles of travel beds for toddlers:

  1. Air mattresses

  2. Foam folding travel beds

  3. Cots for toddlers

So, let’s dive right in, we’ve got a lot of ground to cover.

Airbeds for kids

One of the most popular options, mainly because of its convenience, is a toddler air mattress or a blow-up bed as you might hear people calling it.

blow up mattress

Three main fortes of this choice include:

  • Easy to use, practical and pack small – they usually come with a pump that also deflates the bed, so they pretty much pack to the original size. They pack neatly and can easily be carried in a suitcase, which makes them convenient for air travel.

  • Safety – when we say safety here, we refer to two aspects. The first one comes from the fact that airbeds for kids usually come with side rails (see the image above) and that keeps even the restless sleepers from rolling over during the night. The other safety aspect is the concern about the chemicals – the industry of inflatable furniture has changed a lot during the last few decades and no hazardous substances are used in the production (the bed in the image above – Shrunks Tuckaire toddler is an extreme example of that – it is eco-friendly and chemical-free and it comes with an optional sleeping bag).

  • Easy to clean, doesn’t hold smell – if your little one is still prone to accidents, an air mattress without a flocked top but with a fitted cover (Aerobed usually makes this type of inflatables) is your best bet. That way, if a wet mishap happens, you can just throw the cover into the washing machine and clean the smooth surface of the PVC (something you can’t do with the two other styles we’ll talk about in a minute).

Potential negatives:

  • Plastic smell – not a big issue per se, you can resolve it by airing the bed out for a few hours ( a day in extreme cases) until the smell of plastic is gone. But it can be worrisome if you don’t know the facts, the plastic smell will be there (it’s PVC after all), but what’s important is to pick a product that explicitly says that it is free of phthalates and BPAs (the mentioned Shrunks Tuckaire is a good example of that)

  • Potential air leaks – you don’t want to see your child waking up on the ground if the bed deflates during the night and you certainly don’t want that kind of trouble on a trip.

There are three pieces of advice we can give you here:

One – don’t buy the bed a day before you go on a trip. Getting it a few days or weeks before will both give your child a chance to get used to it and give you a chance to see how the bed works and if it loses air.

Two – don’t rely on the patch kit that usually comes included. Instead, get yourself a PVC patch kit from your local store.

Three – go to the websites that carry them and read the air mattress reviews – who could be a better source of information than the people using the products today. Spending some time on websites dedicated to reviewing the airbed and chose the ones that are top-rated. A half an hour extra of your time here will mean night of your child being sound asleep.

Conclusions about inflatables mattresses for kids

An airbed is the most popular choice among portable travel beds for kids, and for a few good reasons that we listed above.

Still, before deciding to go with it, think about the nature of your situation and needs.

For example, if you need it for a night or two and will probably never use it again, a simple cot might do the trick. Also, if you can spare the extra bucks for the comfort of your child and they are accident-free, a foam folding bed might be your best bet.

Folding travel beds – foam-based

Hands down the most comfortable choice, a foldable travel bed is made entirely out of foam and designed with side rails. Having said that, the foam is very soft and the sides are not that high, so there’s a chance or rolling over the edges.

kid sleepovers

Who is it for?

  • Families who have resolved the issue of nightly mishaps – cleaning this bed after an accident will prove to be quite a job and you’ll never get the smell completely out of the foam. If you still want the unparalleled comfort of the folding foam bed, it’s a good idea pairing it with a waterproof cover.

  • Families who are not on a tight budget, it’s the most expensive choice of the three

  • Families who don’t plan to take the bed on trips that involve air travel – it’s great for basking around the house, but it is bulky and can only be carried as a separate piece of luggage. Still a good option for camping.

If you do decide to go with this style, make sure that you choose quality (the bed in the image above, LeachCo BumpZZZ, is the one product that stands alone in the category).

Cots for toddlers – the budget solution

As we mentioned, a cot will most likely be a good choice if you need it for a sleep-over and you’re not very likely to use it often.

child's cot

It’s made of steel and plastic and a lightly padded canvas on top. The canvas is not tight or padded enough and, unless your kid is still very light, chances are they’re going to feel the beams that run across the surface underneath.

It’s still comfortable enough for it not to be problem for most kids, but if your little one is a particularly choosy sleeper, you won’t get much peace.

If you choose a cot, the plus side is that they are so inexpensive that you can easily choose quality – the cot in the image above “Regalo My Cot” is a safe bet.

Packing – the cot folds up like a folding chair. It packs smaller than a foam folding bed but not as small as an air mattress. It packs just small enough for air travel to be an option.

Summing it all up

The purpose of this guide was not to tell you which portable bed to choose for your kid.

It was to give you guidelines about the right questions to ask yourself before you make the decision.

If we managed to do that, our work is done.

Happy trails.

Worry Eaters- for Those Kid Worries @haywiregroup #WorryEaters

worry eaters

Got a kid that won’t sleep due to nightmares?  Maybe they are really freaking out about that first day of school, mom having a new baby, or learning to use the potty.  Perhaps you don’t know why your child is experiencing anxiety. Kids worry about a whole lot of things- it’s a big, bad world out there.  Enter Worry Eaters, adorable, plush, flat-ish toys that kids can snuggle and confide in.  More then that, these toys snack on worries, so have your child tell it what he or she is worried about, or write it down (or you can help with that part if they can’t write yet) and let the Worry Eater chow down- worry, all gone!  (Burp)  It’s also a good way to find out what your kiddo is fretting about if you weren’t sure or you have a quiet child that might be keeping it to themselves- they are likely to tell their new pal, who can help ease the worry. A new snuggle buddy that keeps worries at bay is something a lot of grown ups might like, too.  Get a big one and a little one, why don’t you, and you can both sleep better tonight.

According to parental website KidsHealth.org, “having fears or anxieties about certain things can also be helpful because it makes kids behave in a safe way. For example, a kid with a fear of fire would avoid playing with matches.”  As experienced with the blogger’s son, preschoolers have anxiety about things that aren’t based in reality, such as fears of monsters and ghosts. “As kids grow, one fear may disappear or replace another. For example, a child who couldn’t sleep with the light off at age 5 may enjoy a ghost story at a slumber party years later.”

bad dreams

That sort of strong emotional quotient (EQ) is as important as academic intelligence (IQ) in raising a healthy child. According to Psychology Today, emotional intelligence is “the ability to identify and manage your own emotions and the emotions of others” including “harnessing emotions and applying them to tasks like thinking and problems solving; to regulate your own emotions, and the ability to cheer up or calm down another person.” This video from Speech & Language Expert Sherry Artemenko helps tell the story.

Prices vary, order at http://www.haywiregroup.com/worry-eaters

Three Simple Ways to “Calm Down” Your Child’s Bedroom

child room

Putting your kids to bed to be a chore; however, what happens when they simply can’t seem to get a good night’s sleep?

Conventional wisdom tells us that children under the age of thirteen should get at least nine hours of sleep per night. Additionally, failure to do could lead to a number of sleep-related problems and symptoms, including but not limited to the following:

  • Moodiness or behavioral problems

  • Trouble concentrating

  • Memory and learning problems

  • Slower reaction times

  • Overeating

Feeling helpless? Don’t panic.

Keep in mind that the culprit keeping them restless may be lurking in their bedroom, and there are steps you can improve the quality of your child’s sleep. Take quick inventory of what’s going on within your child’s sleeping space and use the following factors as starting points for creating a calmer bedroom.

Presence of Light

The presence of light in the bedroom can have a subtle yet significant effect on sleep quality. Exposure to too much light, natural or otherwise, can increase our heartrates and keep us wide awake. Therefore, consider the following small changes to naturally calm your child’s room in regard to bright lights:

  • Investing in room darkening blinds to black out disturbances outdoors such as street lights and the headlights of passing cars

  • Removing any televisions, screens or monitors from the room to ensure minimal exposure to light prior to bedtime

  • Use less intense light bulbs, dimming bulbs or blue-blocking light bulbs in the room’s lamps and/or ceiling fixtures

Bedding

Everyone is different in terms of what types of fabrics they prefer; however, you should consider how your child’s bedding may impact their ability to snooze. For example, sheets with higher-thread count doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re inherently more comfortable than cheaper, soft cotton options. Considering that the temperature can also effect sleep quality, consider investing in cool, breathable sheets.

Keeping your child’s bedding clean on a regular basis (at least once every ten days) will keep their skin from being irritated, which may also keep them up at night. Bear in mind that changing up your laundry detergent may be hard on sensitive skin: even the seemingly “small stuff” can set off breakouts in children.

Noise

Perhaps most obvious, excessive noise can keep anyone from catching some z’s. If your child’s bed is adjacent to a bedroom with a television or perhaps picks up sounds from outside, even the smallest sounds could mean interrupt them from a deep sleep.

Thankfully, you can combat such interruptions through “white noise,” essentially a constant, ambient sound that can help lull your child to bed. White noise can be achieved a number of ways, such as:

  • The whir of a bedside fan

  • The running of air purifier or dehumidifier

  • Sound conditioners and “white noise machines,” which emulate sounds such as the flow of a stream or the washing of waves on a shoreline

Although it may seem backward that creating noise can help block out other interruptions, listening to a consistent sound can help block out external, auditory distractions in the home.

It may take some experimentation to figure out what’s keeping your child up at night. However, consider first the subtle factors that you can deal with sooner rather than later as means of diagnosing the cause of the problem.

Do More Knowing Your Child Is Safe with Levana

I would like to ask you a quick question Moms and Dads- how often do you just wish you could see what your little one is up to?

From newborns to young children, it is quite useful to be able to see what is going on at night.  Nightmares, sleep terrors, or just the odd night time feeding.  Maybe an odd feeling in the pit of your stomach where you just want a little peek, but that squeaky door will absolutely give you away and cause an awakening.  Perhaps you just want to see your little one’s face- we’ve all been there.

pic1

A way around this is with the new Willow™ 5” HD Touchscreen PTZ Video Baby Monitor by Levana.  Levana has been making portable wireless video baby monitors since 2002, and it shows. They have the technological know how and ability to be true innovators.  Their newest is no exception, with an HD PTZ camera that not only has night vision but also has Pan Tilt Zoom features built in, hence the PTZ.  The monitor features invisible LEDs, ClearVu digital wireless technology which is secure, battery life which can last for days at a time, a high frame rate, an included 4.3 inch LCD screen, and an easy to pick up and use user interface.

pic12

We really like the fact that the monitor is completely wireless and digital eliminating a needless tangle of wires and a need to find more outlets.  Levana focuses on baby’s safety.  This monitor gives parents the ability to free up their free time to actually do other stuff while their babies are sleeping, too.  No longer is hovering around necessary, but laundry, house hold chores or just catching up on that Facebook article or Twitter feed you’ve been dying to check in on is finally within grasp.  The Willow™ 5” HD Touchscreen PTZ Video Baby Monitor is available now for $249.99.
This is a sponsored conversation written by me on behalf of Levana. The opinions and text are all mine.