Staying Focused and Well-Rested During Hard Times

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During these uncertain times anxiety, fear, and frustration are at an all-time high. Staying focused and well-rested seems to have moved down on the priority list but it’s actually more important than ever. 

I’ve put together some tips to help you sleep so your body and mind can recover, replenish and reset! We need to commit to our own progress so we can come out of this stronger and better.

Staying Focused and Well-Rested During Hard Times Laura Kennedy Contributor Miami Moms Blog
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

Bedtime Routine

If you don’t already have one, the first tip is to establish a bedtime routine. This is key because over time it will become a cue for your mind to know it’s time to sleep. We do it every night for our kids and it works for us for the same reason–to prep the mind for what’s coming without a fight.

The goal is to make it a habit so that it happens with little or no thought at all. Just like waking up in the morning triggers the action to make a cup of coffee and enjoy the rewards of caffeine; a bedtime routine should trigger the action to sleep so you can reap the benefits of a good night’s rest.  My bedtime routine looks like this: take CBD, change into my PJs, brush my teeth, wash and moisturize my face. Occasionally if I’m feeling extra restless I will sip tea and read for a limited amount of time. 

Turn Off Devices and TV

This one is definitely the hardest. Once the girls are asleep and the kitchen is clean all I want to do is catch up on my shows and give my mind a break. I try to either watch in the family room and come to bed only when I’m ready to go straight to sleep or I’ll set a time limit for watching in bed. Ideally, I would turn them all off 30 minutes prior to sleep but the reality is it doesn’t always happen. When I don’t give in to the temptation of endless Instagram scrolling and watching TV (multitasking as it’s best), I notice I get better sleep and my dreams aren’t so intense and vivid. 

Staying Focused and Well-Rested During Hard Times Laura Kennedy Contributor Miami Moms Blog
Photo by Porapak Apichodilok

CBD (Hemp Extract)

CBD–it’s not hype and I’m giving it its own section because it’s helped me with more than just my sleep. I have a really hard time calming and slowing down my mind especially at night when I’m in bed. I tend to just lay there and think about everything and nowadays we know that can be a lot.

For me, anxiety tends to creep in the most at night. However since I incorporated this into my routine over a year ago, I am able to relax more easily and clear my mind. It helps me be present and look forward to sleep. I take it 30 minutes before I go to bed (right about the time I shut down the devices) either sublingual or in my tea. There’s zero grogginess or drowsiness like you would experience with sleep aids or antihistamines. In the morning I always feel well-rested and energized.

My anxiety, in general, has decreased. I’ve found I have a lot more patience with my toddlers because I don’t feel as overwhelmed by all my daily responsibilities. I even take it throughout the day if needed because it has zero THC. I get all the benefits without unwanted side effects and I’m always 100% comfortable taking care of my girls. 

You can find the kind I use here. Feel free to reach out to me directly to learn more about my experience with it. 

Read or Meditate

For nights when stress is extra high and additional help is needed, I recommend reading or meditating. Reading some fiction can help disconnect the mind from current worries just like a TV show but without the unwanted stimulation and blue light. Meditating or doing some breathing exercises can ground you and help you focus your energy inward. Bonus tip: Do either one or both in a hot bath with a glass of wine!

 

2 COMMENTS

  1. Definitely need these tips right now. I use a meditation app every night before going to sleep, and it’s helped so much. I need to follow some of the other tips though. Thanks, Laura!

  2. These are fantastic and timely- sleep routines have been strained n quarantine. One of my favorite bedtime routines is a mug of warm tea.

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