Do you sometimes suffer from a lack of sleep? Are there instances where you feel like taking a nap all of a sudden? Do you get enough sleep and yet feel like you did not rest at all? It might be time that you start changing your sleeping habits. You might also want to make use of a sleep calculator. After all, sleep is one of the most crucial factors that affect the body. Without it, you will have difficulty doing even the most basic of things. What is the best time to sleep? And how about waking up? But why is it all-important at all? And how about sleep calculators? What are they? You better stick around because we are about to find out.

Fundamental Check: Sleep Calculators

A sleep calculator is a device or practically anything that suggests the ideal time for you to go to bed. In addition, a sleep calculator lets you calculate the best time to wake up in the morning. There are literally dozens of sleep calculators you can use, including the Puffy sleep time calculator. You can try it out, and you won’t lose anything.

Something About Sleeping Cycles

A sleeping cycle is an activity that happens once you fall into slumber. Your brain undergoes a ton of activities during a sleep cycle. Such activities have patterns that revolve around eye movement and muscle movement. And with these patterns come two primary sleeping cycles: REM sleep and Non-REM sleep.

●      REM sleep

Rapid eye movement or REM sleep is a type of sleep that occurs an hour after you hit the sack. It is during REM sleep where you have dreams.

●      Non-REM sleep

Non-REM sleep focuses on three main parts. During the last two stages is where you are under a deep sleep. Studies and experience dictate that it is very rough to wake up from deep sleep.

A complete sleeping cycle is ninety to a hundred minutes. And as your rest progresses, your body will undergo cycles between REM and Non-REM sleep.

Sleep: How Much Does An Individual Need?

The truth is that every age group has a different requirement when it comes to sleep. Find out more below.

●      An infant needs to have at least 15 hours of sleep per day.

●      Toddlers and preschoolers require about 11 to 12 hours of sleep every day.

●      Teenagers need to have a good eight-hour sleep daily.

●      Adults should have at least seven to eight hours of sleep every day.

●      Pregnant women need more rest time during the first three months of their pregnancy.

How Crucial Is Sleeping Anyway?

Sleep is paramount for the well-being and health of any individual. It is a must if you want to stay in shape. It is also ideal if you wish to do your daily things. Plus, a decent amount of rest will shower you with tons of benefits. Read about some of them below.

●      Sleeping well will help out with hormonal release. Hormonal release handles your growth and health. The more you sleep, the better you become. And just imagine that height difference!

●      Sleeping also helps your brain function way better.

●      You will have less time worrying about heart conditions when you sleep well.

●      Sleeping also assists in weight loss management. We aren’t fooling around with this one.

●      The practice will allow you to improve on your agility and physical capabilities.

●      Are you not a fan of depression? That’s great. Sleeping helps reduce the risk of getting depression.

Sticking With A Sleep Routine: Is It Worth It?

The short answer to that question is a solid yes. And using a sleep calculator will improve results tenfold. Once you start with a schedule, your body will follow suit. It is no doubt that sleeping and waking up properly will grant you more energy for the day. And after your body adjusts, you will use that alarm clock way less each day. Here are some tips for that sleep routine.

●      Never use electronic gadgets before you sleep. Although using one might make you sleepy, it is better that you refrain from them. Doing so will leave your brain with fewer distractions to worry about at all.

●      Take some time and meditate. A lot of people around the world have a hard time sleeping due to overthinking. Meditating will help clear your mind from unnecessary thinking.

●      Drink something warm before you hit the sack. A cup of tea or milk helps so much. A cold one is a tempting thing, but it will not help you sleep at all.

●      Decorate and tidy up your bedroom or sleeping area. Doing will let you relax in that setting even better. The faster you will fall asleep. Decorating will also improve the place’s aesthetic value.

What Happens When You Do Not Get Enough Sleep?

The body will suffer from plenty of things when you do not get enough sleep. Here are some of them:

●      You will have difficulties being alert as you deal with everyday activities and rountines.

●      Excessive daytime sleepiness, which means you will feel sleepy and tired most of the day

●      All the exercises you do will have no value at all.

●      You will have a difficult time memorizing and recalling things.

●      You will have a hard time participating in daily activities.

●      Lack of sleep will make you feel moody, which can affect your relationship with the rest of your family.

●      In addition, lack of sleep can affect how you look physically. You will suffer from wrinkles, eye bags, and dark circles under your eyes.

One Final Note

Using a sleep calculator will change how you sleep for good. But it is also up to you to rise to the challenge. Don’t rely on the calculator alone. Eat properly. Do a lot of exercises, and think positively. Not only will all of these improve your sleeping experience. It will all have a positive effect on how you live your life.

Thanks for readin up everyone and till next post!

A happy homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Health Talk: Sleep And Sleep Calculators appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

“Tactful and patient parenting make for happy childhood memories, and help build confidence among children”

happypinaymommy.com

The above quote is my note to self whenever I am becoming a nega nanay. Sometimes when I am too tired I get cranky and start to nag my eldest about the mess she has created or how her little cabinet looks like, or how their toy chest is filled to the brim. My litany (and voice haha) could sometimes rival that of Vangie Labalan in one of her movies whenever she nags her borders on and on and on about the mess in the boarding house (Sorry na, batang 90s!).

I tend to snap at the “little borders” sometimes too during those days I am saddled with back to back to back chores and the kids are being too rambunctious. And like those Koreanovela moms that I watch, i sometimes complain too with a hiss or a growl or whatever that funny sound they make when they are frustrated (you know this if you have seen a Koreanovela especially Reply 1988) with housework.

The journey to better parenting

So what I do really is try to keep my mouth shut when am frustrated about the mess they created, tired with all the chores, stressed with all their fighting amongst each other, or just plainly drained. I might say things out of sheer frustration, and later on I would regret it.

My dad always says that it is better to keep one’s mouth shut than say things that can hurt other people. He said no matter how sorry you are you can never take back the pain you’ve inflicted. So when I am quiet already, the kids and the mister already know better, and would start to behave themselves.

The magic of downtime for moms

Also, early bedtime helps! By making the kids ready for bed by 8, I can already watch TV and relax early on (unless someone beat mo to it to watch UFC or whatever, but hey just being in the couch is fine with me too!). Early rest helps me recharge for the next day, and keeps me from being cranky early in the morning

Lately, I discovered resting every after two chores to “refill my tank.” I wrote about it earlier this week or was that last week? It is helpful in generally enjoying mothering life. It helps any cranky tired mama become a better and gentler mom.

Leaning on Jesus

Lastly, I pray for it everyday. I pray for strength to serve the whole family without feeling cranky. I pray for patience, and I pray for God’s grace to help me become a better mom. Setting aside time for bible devotion is really helpful, because as they say Tao lang naman tayong napapagod. So let us ask for the grace to become better at parenting, and He will surely listen.

So cheers to us Happy Pinay Mommies! We can do this!

The post Tactful and Patient Parenting appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.

“Rest and mid-day breaks* This was the theme of my week. Allowing myself to rest. I have worked throughout my single life and I was a proud workaholic. I do not know if it it because of the culture of the industries I have worked for, or if I took after my Dad, but i thrived in the endless to-do lists and tight deadlines.

Moms need afternoon naps too

As a stay at home mom, i realized lately that I have been overburdening myself with endless lists and self-imposed deadlines. Yes they were SMART goals, all are possible to do within the day — but I end up dead tired with no patience for rambunctious kids as soon as the clock strikes 8pm.

*I run out of patience by 8pm,* i tell my kids every single day and so they all have to be ready for bed by that time. Either they play quietly till 830pm or off to bed they go.

Heart-to-heart talk

The mister mentioned to me that he feels bad each time I tell him that I finally got the chance to sit on the couch at about 5. He says, it is my choice to overwork myself and that I should be kind to myself. He said recess and deadlines apply to moms too. and so he said I should take breaks within the day even for just 30 minutes, and I should not be plagued by guilt if I put up my feet in the couch, surf TV or the net, or take a nap. “The kids can just play to their heart’s content, make a mess and all, but love yourself enough to give it a rest. Your body needs it more than ever, it will boost your immunity,” he says.

I gave it a try. I do chores 2-3 at a time, and then take rests. after work out, I make breakfast for everyone, feed them, and take a rest before I tackle the dishes. The same routine goes on throughout the day, and after a couple of days, I found myself accomplishing the chores but not feeling as busy as I used to. Where did I get the extra time?

Truth be told, the Mister kept on telling me that the list is endless. And if I give myself the permission to rest, it will not matter because the chores will always be there! Just like what is in this lovely quote from the wonderful blog “A Life in Progress”

So now I understand that bible devotion, daily work out, a bit of downtime before bed, less coffee, and sleeping early are not just THE MUSTS in my journey to better motherhood.

I have to rest mid day — be it a nap or short read in the couch– and then rest some more in the afternoon. Yes, I have discovered that power naps and mid-day down times for moms are so refreshing! I also started to challenge myself to take a break when needed, not when am too tired or when the work is done.

And that I think, is the secret to this week’s longer patience and happier mommying days! Happy Friday ladies!

A Happy Homemaker is a Happy Pinay Mommy!

The post Why mommies need mid-day breaks appeared first on Happy Pinay Mommy.