Less sleep can equal more weight

A recent study showed that women not only work out of the home, but once home they undertake twice as much childcare and three times as much housework. I don't think that we needed a study to show us that. We already know!

It is not surprise that women can become so tired. There just aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done. Something has to give, and usually it is quality sleep. Even when you get to bed your mind is racing thinking of all the things that you still have to do, or haven't done that must be done by yet another deadline.

In most households everyone comes to you. Broken shoe laces, missing socks, forms that need signing, sore throats, insufficient phone credit... and the list goes on. "MUMMMMMMMMMMMMMMM?"

20% of road fatalities are caused by fatigue. These aren't all tired women, there are many tired men out there as well. Being really tired is the equivalent to being drunk. It has similar neurological effects including being unable to make good decisions, being emotional, slower responses and quick to anger. Does any of these signs and symptoms ring a bell with you?

This blog is usually written in the morning, or even the day before, but I have been busy. I could have stressed myself out and either stayed up late or got up extra early to write it, but I chose not to. I know what physiological and psychological consequences either of those actions would involve. So I am writing it late in the afternoon, feeling nice and relaxed and enjoying the potential of helping some of you to say "NO!" I am not going to take all of that on today, this week or even this month.

When you go to bed tonight you will sleep so much better if you:

• eat before 7pm or only eat a very light meal before 8pm
• no coffee after 5pm (or cola)
• go to bed at a reasonable time, which is any time before 10pm
• once in bed read a book or a magazine but no television, phones, ipads or any other device unless you are reading a book from it
• keep the room cooler than during the day because our body's need to cool down to feel sleepy
• acknowledge yourself for all the things that you achieved today, including getting something partially done
• set the alarm for 10 minutes before you have to get up so that you can wake up slowly 

Enjoy a quality sleep of 8 hours as many nights as you can manage.

sweet dreams
Sarah