Sleeplessness and moms seem to go together like spring and allergies. A recent study conducted by Braun Research (note this study was sponsored by Takeda Pharmaceuticals, the maker of the sleep aid Rozerem) found that 54 percent of mothers said they don't get enough sleep. Working moms faired the worst with 59 percent of those surveyed admitting they don't get enough sleep. Stay-at-home moms didn't do much better with 48 percent lacking in the sleep department.

Getting enough sleep is a big issue for many adults in America, with moms seeming to have the most trouble. With the pressure of home added to the pressures of work and social lives little time seems to be left over for sleep. Lack of sleep can greatly impact many parts of life from your attitude towards yourself, your spouse, and your children, how well you can think on your feet, how creative you are at work, how productive you are, and your health. Not getting enough sleep can turn you into a completely different person. It can impact your ability to function on simple tasks and more complex tasks like driving a car. There are many things people can do to help improve their sleeping patterns.

  • Go to bed and get up at roughly the same time every day.
  • Take time to unwind at the end of the day before you go to bed, take a bath, read a book, sit and have a quiet conversation with your spouse.
  • Avoid substances that inhibit sleep like caffeine, alcohol, and sugar before bed.
  • Make your bedroom an inviting place to sleep, keep the temperature comfortable, remove distractions like televisions and computers.
  • Try to get everyone in the family on a good schedule that will help you all get the sleep you need; kids go to bed at the same time each night, you and your spouse have quiet time to unwind, etc.

Most importantly we need to make sleep a priority. The impact lack of sleep can have on every other part of our lives is so significant that it is worth doing our best to the get the sleep we need.