As I look back on my life, it amazes me how little sleep I needed to function as a normal person. Actually, it makes me wonder how much more productive I could have been had I been getting suggested amount. But it all sort of came to a head in my mid-twenties when I started linking lack of sleep to some anxiety issues.
I'm already an over analyzer on my good days, so I can dream up some pretty dire situations when I'm sleep deprived. Prayer helps. Making sure I get enough sleep is also key. Which doesn't always happen when you're the the Mama of a 2 year old and a 2 month old. Even when I do find the time to sleep, I can feel too tired to fall into it easily.
One of the things I'm learning is that it is just as important to take care of myself as it is to take care of my little ones. Of course, their needs are always going to trump mine. But if I find a small window of time when we can all cuddle and snooze together, I need to embrace those (and them) with open arms. Even if it means that the dishes are going to sit there a little longer or I might not get to take a shower that day.
Each day will present itself with its needs and it is my job to prioritize those. And today called for a nap;)
This is so true! I kept reading and hearing women say to "sleep when baby sleeps", but it was strangely hard to let myself do this. Why do you think that is?
ReplyDeleteGood question, Aanna. I am still trying to figure out how to answer it...
Delete