Better sleep for the whole family

If even one member of the family has a lousy night’s sleep, the whole family dynamic suffers. If you’re sensing that sleep problems might be the source of some of your family drama, try these tips to help everyone rest easy…

Clean house. People often forget that dust mites and allergens love to take up residence in pillows and mattresses… particularly those that have been around for a while. If your family is having a hard time catching Zzzz’s, it could be time to invest in new sleeping products for everyone. A new pillow or mattress topper is a great place to start.

Keep an eye on the clock. Everyone benefits from maintaining a regular sleeping schedule. Try to go to bed at the same time every night and get up at the same time each morning. Don’t worry: it’s fine to sleep in a little on weekends or holidays, but don’t plan on spending the whole day in bed or you’ll be paying for it the rest of the week.

Kitchen’s closed! It can be hard for you to resist nibbling on snack food while the family’s watching TV together in the evening, but it really is best to stop eating about three hours before bedtime. If the kids must have a little snack, try offering a glass of milk or a handful of cashews; these contain tryptophan which helps transition the brain into sleep mode.

It’s all about lighting. If you find that your family has a hard time transitioning from the hustle and bustle of daytime life to sleep mode, try dimming the lights about two hours before everyone needs to turn in