Did you see the recent story about the newscaster who fell asleep during a live broadcast?
Her colleague, reporting from the field, wrapped up her story and then waited for a response. But the split-screen shows the anchorwoman at her desk, elbows and fists supporting her chin, eyes closed. Oops!
It turns out this exhausted, stretched-to-her-limits mom of a two-year-old and eight-month old had had less than two hours of sleep the night before. Her husband was pulling a double shift and her baby girl, who is teething, couldn’t fall asleep. In addition, working the morning show requires a 1:30 a.m. wakeup in order to get to her job by 2:30.
I was encouraged to hear she’s received widespread positive support (along with a little ribbing) from her employer and social media. It’s great to see empathy for a situation we can all relate to!
If you have ever been a parent of young kids, I’m sure you understand. And, if you’ve occasionally dozed off on the job, raise your hand! ✋ We’ve all been there. And as long as your job isn’t air traffic controller or brain surgeon, there was probably no harm done. Seriously, how many clips have we seen of DJT in the Land of Nod during high stakes meetings? If the U.S. President can nap at work, the rest of us should be allowed to as well!
Still, it’s difficult to work and be productive when running on fumes.
It’s one reason I’m loving the empty-nest years, along with retirement. (Yep, I’m giving retirement a second chance…more on that in a later post.) We can nap when we want to!
We may not be young moms anymore, but midlife and menopause bring their own sleep challenges, am I right? With night sweats, potty breaks, and general sleep disturbance, is a good night’s rest just a pipe dream?
Though we no longer have teething infants, our kids still manage to keep us awake at night. Their struggles, heartbreaks, and concerns weigh on our minds and sometimes send us spiraling as we try, unsuccessfully, to solve all of their problems before falling asleep.
Plus, the empty-nest freedom we enjoy can drive us to burn the midnight oil. I blame my late nights on a knitting project or good book I can’t put down, or the latest show I’m hooked on. Whatever the reason, I often break my own bedtime rules. (More on those below.)
But one of the benefits of our current midlife situation is the ability to take a nap whenever our bodies tell us we need one! Sometimes a brief 20-minute power nap gives me just enough juice to get through the day. Other days, I require an all-out hour-long snooze to recharge after a string of early mornings, busy days, and late nights.
Need tips on getting better sleep? Here are a couple of podcasts that have inspired me to establish a better bedtime routine.
A Certain Age: Why You Can’t Sleep at 3am and the Truth About Midlife Sleep Apnea with Dr. Shelby Harris
Women in the Middle: How to Get the Sleep You Need for Your Best Life in Midlife & Beyond with Terry Cralle
I’m a work in progress, but setting a few simple rules for myself has really helped.
My Rules for Happy Slumber 😴
No caffeine after 3:00 p.m. (But I definitely need my coffee every morning! ☕️)
No evening glass of red wine. Actually, no more red wine, period, for me. I recently discovered it’s full of histamines that I’m allergic to. I first noticed a sensitivity that brought on headaches and insomnia. Then, I had an all-out allergic reaction of nausea, vomiting, and a terribly itchy rash. So yeah. I’ll stick with my Pinot Grigio (or none at all).
Follow regular routines for evening bedtimes and morning wakeups that allow for 7-8 hours of sleep.
Put phone on “Do Not Disturb” during sleep hours. Also, if I wake up during the night to use the restroom, I resist checking my phone. Urgent messages from my family will still get through.
Get thoughts out of head and onto a list to free up the mind for sweet dreams. When life gets busy or complicated and my to-do’s and don’t-forgets keep me from sleeping, I open my notes app or grab a pen and paper and jot them down.
I take Magnesium Glycinate every evening which has worked wonders for helping me fall and stay asleep! (Disclaimer: I’m not a sleep expert and am not qualified to give medical advice. This is just what has worked for me.)
If all else fails and I have a short or restless night of sleep, I remind myself that I have survived sleepy days before and I will again.
But, I might need a nap! 😴
What are your sleep struggles?
Please share any additional sleep tips and advice!
Speaking of the benefits of an empty nest, can I take you on a joyride?
Available online now, wherever books are sold!
Reignite Your Marriage, Rediscover Yourself, and Embrace the Empty Nest with Joy!
You’ve been parenting for years, and now face the sudden realization that this ride, and your role, are about to change. Like exiting a busy highway, you might look forward to a slower, gentler, and more relaxing pace. Or, perhaps the quiet path ahead fills you with uncertainty and the dread of emptiness.
You’re about to embark on an unfamiliar journey. What lies around the bend is a mystery.
I’ve been around that bend. In Empty-Nest Joyride, I share a heartfelt collection of personal stories inspired by bike rides through the Midwest countryside. Using cycling adventures as metaphors, I reflect on the challenges and blessings of this midlife stage with humor, warmth, and wisdom.
Whether you’re approaching the empty nest or already in the midst of it, this book will encourage you to:
🚴♂️ Reach for new opportunities in personal and spiritual growth
🚴♀️ Ignite and rekindle the spark in your marriage
🚴♂️ Dream of ambitions you put on hold during the parenting years
🚴♀️ Engage in healthy, fulfilling relationships with your adult children
Hit the trail with me and discover how you can fill life’s next chapter with hope, love, and purpose—together with unexpected joy—on the road to contentment.
My new routine to calm the worries at night is to exercise a short bit about 3 hours before bed and not return to social media after. Quieting my brain gets me closer to better sleep. And, in the summer, I nap 17 minutes on the screened porch. The best!
Not a tip but a reminder that even Jesus took naps.