Why Prioritizing Sleep is the Ultimate Gift to Your Family

Lacy Hess • December 15, 2024

Discover how better sleep improves your health, your mood, and your ability to be the best parent for your child.

As parents, we naturally put our kids first—they literally depend on us to survive during those early years! But in doing so, we sometimes forget a crucial truth: if we neglect ourselves, we can't give our children the best version of us. As the saying goes, “You can’t pour from an empty cup.”

Still, it’s so easy to get swept up in the whirlwind of life, isn’t it? Prioritizing our own needs often feels impossible. But one foundational NEED for our physical and mental health as parents is SLEEP.

Parenting is exhausting on its own, but when you're battling bedtime for hours or waking multiple times a night to soothe your child, tiredness quickly spirals into full-blown exhaustion. And that level of fatigue impacts every part of your life—brain fog, irritability, stress, mood swings, even your overall physical health take a hit.

If you’ve been telling yourself, “I know I need sleep, but 7-9 hours isn’t realistic,” think again! Sleep isn’t just a luxury—it’s a necessity. The American Heart Association (AHA) includes it as one of the 8 essential measures for improving cardiovascular health and preventing chronic diseases.

  • Eat Better
  • Be More Active
  • Stop Smoking
  • Manage Weight
  • Control Cholesterol
  • Manage Blood Sugar
  • Manage Blood Pressure
  • Get Enough Sleep
Per the AHA, adults need 7-9 hours of sleep each night, while babies and children require even more based on their age. (Check out this sleep chart to see how much sleep your child needs in 24 hours!)
Sleep Chart

The AHA also says when we consistently get enough sleep, incredible things happen:


  • Our bodies heal.
  • Our immune systems strengthen.
  • Our mood and energy soar.
  • Brain fog disappears.
  • Risks for chronic diseases—like heart disease, dementia, depression, and obesity—plummet.


In short, better sleep benefits your entire family. It helps you feel better in the moment and lowers your risk of health issues in the future—so you can be there, strong and healthy, to watch your kids grow into happy, thriving adults.


Now that’s a WIN!


But let’s get real: if you’re stuck in the thick of bedtime battles, multiple overnight wakings, early morning risings, or nap strikes, it’s hard to see a way out. You’re not alone, and you don’t have to keep struggling.


Parenting can feel overwhelming—especially when you’re navigating sleep issues—but there’s a  solution. If you’re ready to feel rested, refreshed, and confident that your child is set up with healthy sleep habits for life, I can help.


Email me or book your free consultation today and let’s work together to bring sleep back to your home!


Looking for a few free resources to get you started on your journey to better sleep? Check out my Top 3 Sleep Tips and Sample Sleep Schedules today!

Free Resources

References


American Heart Association. (2022). Life's essential 8 facts sheet. Retrieved December 14, 2024 from https://www.heart.org/en/healthy-living/healthy-lifestyle/lifes-essential-8/lifes-essential-8-fact-sheet


American Heart Association. (2022). How to get healthy sleep. Retrieved December 14, 2024 from https://www.heart.org/-/media/Healthy-Living-Files/LE8-Fact-Sheets/LE8_How_to_Get_Healthy_Sleep.pdf?sc_lang=en


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