Five Tips to Improve Your Sleep by Alexandra Bartscht
M
y name is Alexandra Bartscht; I am a pediatric sleep consultant and the founder of The Restful Nest. Using my experience as a former elementary school teacher, I have combined my passion for childhood development with my deep interest in improving the quality of sleep. As a mom of four, I know firsthand how sleep affects both my health and my children’s health and overall well-being. I’m passionate about helping others understand that sleep is not a luxury, but a necessity. The Restful Nest helps parents around the world learn the tools and techniques necessary for their children to develop independent sleep skills in the home. Most importantly, I help both children and adults learn to love and value the importance of sleep, creating a healthy lifestyle for the entire family.
22 | The Brick Magazine
Today I’m encouraging you to create new and healthy habits by following these five accessible sleep tips. Research shows that it takes the average person 66 days for a new behavior to become automatic, so I encourage you (adults and children) to dedicate time to sticking to these tips to find continued success. TIP NUMBER ONE
CREATE A CONSISTENT SCHEDULE Our body clock works best when it is regulated. For this reason, it’s important to choose a consistent bedtime and morning wake time. This consistency helps us to connect with our natural circadian rhythm, helping our body learn when it’s an appropriate time to make melatonin and wind down before bed, and when our body should begin producing cortisol to
