I have been there!  I hear all you new parents out there! One of the most magical moments in our life is when we hold our newborn baby in our arms. We are excited, exhausted and nervous.  We have no idea what is awaiting us! 

It's true what they say, your life will never be the same when your bundle of joy enters the world. Everything will change, from the way you view the world to your schedules, routines, and the things you turn to for relaxation. Someone else comes first now, after all!

When I had my children, I was unprepared for the permanent exhaustion I would be feeling and I had no coping mechanisms ready in my tool box to use.  My mom used to tell me, just sleep when the baby is sleeping and you will do fine.  As many of you know, It wasn’t that simple.  

If you’ve been feeling mentally and physically exhausted by the added responsibilities, you are  not alone.  I’ve been there.  Read below my for some of the best sleep tips for new parents  that i’ve used, and RE.VITYL’s take on self-care for all parents.

Allow Yourself Time to Catch Your Breath 

It’s not always feasible to get ample time to yourself, as sitters can be expensive, you don’t want to deplete your family watch time, and so forth. This means learning how to recuperate in your new everyday setting. Take regular five-minute breathers. Get as much fresh air as possible. Allow yourself some space to pause and take control of your stress rather than it taking control of you. Communicate your needs to those around you, including your children.  And yes, do take a nap when the baby is sleeping.  Get yourself a sleep mask and nap away on every occasion you get.

Take Note of What’s Important

I am a big fan of journaling and I have been doing it everyday for the last 4 years.  It has changed my life.  Sure, it’s a cliche, but starting a gratitude journal can be a big help in the long run, especially as stressors become more complex. You may need help remembering the good during a deep dive into what’s difficult. It’s the perfect activity to try when you’re winding down: simply take note of what you’re grateful for today and what went right rather than wrong. If physically writing things down isn’t your cup of tea, give voice memos or quick thoughts in your phone’s note app a try.

Everyday in my gratitude journal I write these 3 lines that help me center for the day:

• I am grateful for my family
• I am grateful for my journey on earth
• I am grateful for the love I feel and give

Schedule Alone Time Where You Can 

This may seem a luxury when you are a parent but it is oh so necessary! I mentioned how this can be difficult when you become a parent, but that doesn’t mean you can’t indulge every so often. Alone time can often be the most effective self-care tip for parents. It doesn’t have to be some grand ordeal; it could simply mean an extended time slot for a long shower or bath with some essential oils, a walk in nature (my personal favorite),  watching an episode of TV uninterrupted, a solo trip to the store, a class of some sort (exercise classes are good outlets for stress!), or maybe a scenic drive topped off by an automatic car wash where you can sit back, relax, and blast some of your favorite tunes. 

When it comes to simple luxuries, you get to choose what you do with your me-time. What works for you may not work for your partner, but it may have worked for your parents! Self-care for parents is pretty situational, after all. 

Don’t Forget Your Friends and Family! 

Maintaining social connections, whether they be friends or family, is essential to your sanity as a parent. Staying connected could look like brunches with your girlfriends, any sort of family gathering (holidays, birthdays, etc.), picnics in the park, summer barbecues, movie nights, double dates, dinner parties, escape rooms, etc. Just like alone time, the things you consider to be worth your while and enjoyable will vary from person to person, couple to couple, and parent to parent.  

According to VeryWell Family, “If you schedule a future social activity for yourself, it gives you something to look forward to (which can be a good self-care strategy in itself). Then, actually engaging in social activity will give another boost to your psychological well-being.” 

7 Tips for a Good Night’s Rest From RE.VITYL

Now, let’s talk about what you’re really after: sleep tips for new parents. We know the transition can be quite jarring. Obviously, every night will look different –  you may get very little to no sleep, depending on your child’s sleep patterns. Yet, these tips can help you feel restful and put you in a state of calm when you hear the newborn tears rolling in at 3:00 am.

• Make your bed (and bedroom) a place for rest only.
• Invest in quality products that make your bedroom as cozy as can be.
• Nice sheets, the right mattress, good pillows, the right amount of blankets, premium essential oils, a luxurious sleep mask (bonus points if it has crystals), blackout curtains, soy candles, a white noise machine, the right bedroom temperature, and a gentle alarm clock can all greatly improve your quality of sleep without having to turn to supplements.
• Log off of the blue-light tech well before bedtime.
• Yes, that includes the TV as well as scrolling through social media.
• Avoid caffeinated beverages in the latter half of the day.
• Try to keep to a consistent schedule.
• Avoid irregular, long, or “unnecessary” naps.
• Avoid late-night snacks and heavy evening meals.
• Make the hour or two before bedtime quiet.
• Stick to activities like listening to calm music or reading a few chapters of a book rather than watching one more episode or playing one more level.

Our Products Exist Because of the Importance of Sleep

Self-care for parents, specifically when it comes to sleep, tends to get overlooked – especially if you’re a new parent! However, it’s important to remember that everything stems from sleep: our mood, our energy, our productivity, our mental health, and so forth. That’s why it’s vital to try out some of these sleep tips for new parents if you’ve been struggling with restlessness and exhaustion. Trust us, your child will be happier if you’re happier. Take care of yourself tonight.

Interested in trying RE.VITYL products? Take a look at everything we offer and get your sleep back. Because every mom and dad deserve to rest.