If you can’t sleep at night, what should you not do?
Dr. Orchard says: “Simple things can be done to help us form good habits, like going to bed and waking up at regular times.” She also emphasizes the importance of keeping the sleep environment consistent so the brain can recognize it as the place for sleep. Avoiding napping on the couch and working in bed can help improve sleep quality.
But what if your sleep is disrupted because of young children waking up? Dr. Orchard says: “Parents of young children need time for themselves as well as time for sleep, so the issue is to catch up on sleep whenever you can.”
She adds: “Sometimes you need to take a nap to ensure you have enough sleep to take care of yourself and your child. I think this varies for each individual, and you should remind yourself that this period will eventually come to an end.”
