Sleepless Nights and Mom Life

This past week has been quite a juggle. After multiple doctor's visits and swabs with in-house and out-of-house laboratory cultures, I finally got the call back that two kiddos had Haemophilus influenzae, and the other two had parainfluenza virus. Needless to say, the last week of dealing with snotty noses, coughing, nasal or chest congestion, and vomiting sessions has left this momma drained. And that's not to mention that I also have some variation of what the kiddos have.

I think one of the hardest things as a mom at times is having to bear both being sick and still trying to carry the 'home-load' - as I will call it, especially if it's a load of sick kiddos. The home-load is that everyday home maintenance stuff - keeping the sink clear of dishes, making sure Legos aren't scattered like landmines in my barefoot space, coordinating/cooking dinner, trying to make sure the kids are still trying to complete the chores they are physically able to when sick. If only these things went away when we didn't feel good🫠. Can you relate?

Anyways, I will try not to focus on that because, let's be honest, there would be no point in that. It helps nothing and resolves nothing... that is....🤔unless you guys know of a free service that comes in and continues running things smoothly in the home, while you utilize enough tissue, blowing your nose, to have killed 3 trees--as you lay on a heating pad, in your room and read enough books to clear out a library shelf. Oh ok, you don't know of a service like that? Me neither.😕

The good news is, now that the antibiotics are kicking in and helping my body fight this, I feel like I need to try to help my body as much as I can to recover itself. One way I know the body recovers is during its sleep. Sleep is SO very important. But don't take my word for it. Let's just look at the list below to see what science has shown us about why it's important.

Sleep is incredibly important for our overall health and well-being. During sleep, our bodies go through various processes that help restore and rejuvenate our physical and mental health. Here are some key reasons why sleep is important

1. Physical restoration: Sleep allows our bodies to repair and regenerate tissues, muscles, and cells. It helps in the healing process, boosts our immune system, and promotes overall physical health.

2. Mental clarity and cognitive function: Sleep plays a crucial role in cognitive function, memory consolidation, and learning. It helps improve concentration, attention, problem-solving skills, and decision-making abilities.

3. Emotional well-being: Sufficient sleep is essential for emotional regulation and stability. Lack of sleep can lead to increased irritability, mood swings, and difficulty in managing stress and emotions.

4. Hormonal balance: Sleep is closely linked to the regulation of various hormones in our body, including those that control appetite, metabolism, and stress response. Lack of sleep can disrupt these hormonal balances, leading to weight gain, increased appetite, and higher stress levels.

5. Cardiovascular health: Studies have shown that inadequate sleep is associated with an increased risk of developing cardiovascular diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke. Sufficient sleep helps maintain a healthy heart and blood vessels.

6. Overall well-being: Getting enough quality sleep is essential for our overall well-being and quality of life. It helps improve our mood, energy levels, productivity, and overall mental and physical performance.

These are just a few of the many reasons why sleep is important. It is recommended that adults aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night to reap the benefits of a good night's rest. Be sure to sign up on the homepage of MonkeyBarFan.com to receive emails with blog updates because in the next blog, we will discuss 6 tips for improving your quality of sleep:)