A good night’s sleep is one of those things that most of us would give anything to get. Whether it’s because we can’t switch off our brains; we’re up late working or studying; or if like me, it’s the mini-me’s keeping us up – we all want that coveted 8 hours of shut-eye.
I remember my life before Annabelle – it was filled with night after night of solid sleep, and sleep-ins. While I wouldn’t change a thing about having Annabelle, I would though, happily go back to my old sleep routine. Since she came along it’s typically been one phase or another which has meant, like most mums, that I’m up and down quite a few times every night. First it was night feeds, then it was the dummy falling out, then toilet training, now it’s her wanting to wake up and play in the middle of the night.
Which brings me to this Sleep Challenge. Aussie company A. H. Beard has created a free 6 week challenge to help us figure out what type of sleeper we are, where we’re going wrong, and what we can do to get back on track and get better sleep. Because as we know, better sleep results in increased energy, which means we’re more likely to eat better and hit the gym. And if like me, when you eat well and exercise, then you typically sleep better. It’s a cycle which, when it works, is amazing. And when it doesn’t, it’s a vicious downhill spiral that’s tough to break.
The other upside of better sleep is weight loss! (need I say more?!). I’ve long known since back in my personal trainer days that sleep deprivation increases cortisol levels in the body (cortisol is called “the stress hormone”) thereby slowing down your metabolism and holding on to fat stores.
So how does the sleep challenge work? Well – you sign up at ahbeard.com.au/sleepchallenge (it’s free) and complete a quick sleep profile. I am known as an “Interrupted Sleeper” – that is, I wake up several times throughout the night, and when I do, I often feel anxious and frustrated. My profile also states that I may experience frustration or jealousy that my partner sleeps through the night. Ummmm – YEP!
Each week for the next 6 weeks, I’ll be logging my sleep information in an online sleep diary, and I’ll also get support from the community in the forums as well as have access to expert advice on the sleep challenge blog. So – who’s sleeping with me? Wait. That sounded weird, but you know what I mean!
Sign up and join me at ahbeard.com.au/sleepchallenge.
