Latest news with #Sleepopolis
Newsweek
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Tired Mom Offers Kids Money To Go To Sleep, Laughter At What Happens Next
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. A tired mom resorted to desperate measures at bedtime in a bid to her kids off to sleep, but it didn't have the desired effect. Parenting can be exhausting, not least when it comes to bedtime. Last year, a survey of over 1,500 parents conducted by the mattress retailer Sleepopolis found 71.91 per cent of respondents got less than 7 hours of sleep 3 nights a week or more. Nicole Bell from Fort Myers, Florida, is one of those parents. In many ways her life sounds like the kind most would dream of. "My husband and I have known each other since we were 6 as neighbors and I was and still am his sister's best friend," Bell told Newsweek. "We started dating when we were 16, and now we have 3 little girls, aged 7, 4, and 2 and a 13 year old dog." Nicole Bell offered her daughters money to go to sleep. Nicole Bell offered her daughters money to go to sleep. TikTok/thataverageparent However, as is often the case with young children, bedtime can occasionally turn into a nightmare. In Bell's case, the main culprit is their middle child. "The oldest is a decent sleeper, the youngest actually has been our best sleeper," Bell. "The 4 year old takes a solid hour and a half to fall asleep then wakes up at 3am to crawl into our bed." Matters came to a head one night recently. Bell's two eldest daughters, who share a room, were in bed but still very much awake. So, in moment captured on a nearby baby cam and later shared to TikTok under the handle @thataverageparent, Bell decided to up the ante. "Whoever's asleep first gets a dollar in the morning," Bell states as she leaves the room, hoping against all hope that it has the desired effect. But it's the hope that kills you. "At this point my husband had gone out for a run after putting the 2 year old to bed and I just wanted to get to bed myself so I was pulling out all the tricks," Bell said. "I went in, offered the dollar, then took a quick shower and came back to check on them." She hoped to return to find them both fast asleep. However, as the clip posted online shows, that wasn't the case. "The 7 year old was fast asleep, as I expected, but the 4 year old- not so much," Bell said. Instead her 4-year-old was wide awake and ready to explain why that was the case. "I can't sleep because the ninjas got my sleeping power," Bell's daughter can be heard saying on the clip. "So can you just give me a dollar in the morning?" Read more Teacher's Award for Girl in seventh grade sparks debate: "Poor kiddo" Teacher's Award for Girl in seventh grade sparks debate: "Poor kiddo" As baffling as her reasoning may have been to the casual viewer, Bell knew exactly what her daughter was referring to. "Her favorite show currently is PJ Masks, which has a villain called the Night Ninja and his sidekicks are Ninjalinos which is where her comeback originated from," she said. Bell said this is only the second time she had tried bribing her kids to go to sleep. "I honestly wasn't expecting the 4 year old to fall asleep, but I hoped she would," Bell said. "Really the goal was to give the oldest motivation to stop talking, because once she actually tries to fall asleep, she is out fast and then I would only have one awake kid left." Bell shared the footage to TikTok because her daughter's response made her laugh and she figured others would find it amusing too. "She's such a big goofball with a huge imagination that that response didn't even phase me as out of the ordinary," Bell said. The clip appears to have had the desired effect, with over 400,000 views and counting since being shared earlier this month. "I hope people just see it for what it is, a mom trying to make it until the end of the day, and not look too deep into it," Bell said. "I hope parents know that whatever they are doing to get by, however many real or metaphorical dollars they need to bribe kids with, they are doing a great job!"
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Did You Know 'Summer Insomnia' Is a Thing? Here's What's Keeping You From Drifting Off, and How to Beat It
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. London's summer is admittedly fleeting. But of late, we've been lucky enough to experience long, sunlit days and warm weather. However, there's something about wrapping up my day before the sun sets (a 09:00 PM ritual nowadays) that feels slightly illegal and mildly unproductive to the mind and body. And if, like me, you have been enduring restless sleep in the heat, chances are summer insomnia is the culprit to blame. Since we're used to the gradual dimming of the sky signifying the need to wind down, this shift in ambiance can hinder your rest. So, I reached out to a couple of sleep experts to explain the cause for summer insomnia and how to overcome it for a good night's rest — even when the sunny view outside your window says otherwise. Sleep expert and clinical psychologist Dr. Leah Kaylor tells me that summer insomnia refers to difficulty falling or staying asleep during the warmer months. "While insomnia can occur year-round, it often spikes in summer due to longer daylight hours, hotter nights, disrupted routines, and environmental overstimulation (like noise or travel)," she says. "Rising temperatures interfere with the body's natural ability to cool down for sleep, while late sunsets and early sunrises can throw off your circadian rhythm, making it harder to wind down at night or stay asleep in the morning." If these symptoms feel familiar, don't lose hope, as there are a couple of things you can do to sleep better and combat summer insomnia for sound slumber. According to Kenny Timper, a certified sleep science coach at Sleepopolis, it's important to set the mood for sleep. "Keep your bedroom as cool and dark as possible," he says. "I find that blackout shades and a fan or AC can make a big difference." Leah also recommends blocking heat during the day, assuring me that it's one of the best things you can do to aid sleep. "Maintain bedroom temperature of around 60° to 67°F (15° to 19°C)," she suggests. "And consider using a cooling mattress pad or moisture-wicking sheets." I recommend bringing home these Brushed Pencil Pleat Blackout Thermal Curtains from M&S and dressing your bed in this Set of Linen Sheets from Zara Home for a cozy night in. "Yes, that's correct," assures Leah. "Watching the sunset can act as a cue to tell both the brain and the body that it's time to wind down from the day and prepare for sleep." Personally, I'm all for any excuse to savor a sunset. And if your bedtime ritual allows for a sleep schedule that begins post the time of sunset in your city, then I recommend taking this advice to heart and grounding yourself as the sky takes on that gorgeous golden hue. If you miss the sunset and want none of the FOMO, get yourself this VARMBLIXT Lamp from IKEA for a warm glow. Or, a Sunset Projection Light from Amazon for a wall cloaked in dusky tints. "When it comes to beating summer insomnia, it's important to dial back screen time and bright light exposure in the hour before bed," says Kenny. "Especially once the sun's already gone down." As someone who is guilty of scrolling well past my bedtime, I will be taking Kenny's advice. Plus, to further help set the mood for rest, I also plan to rely on lighting tricks for better sleep. And if you're having trouble even then, I find that a quality sleep mask can make all the difference. And if all else fails, I suggest using this super sleek Loftie Alarm Clock with a Sound Machine from Amazon to serenade you to sleep with white noise. "Different people will find different things relaxing," says Leah. "So, figure out what activities relax you and make it a habit to do them every time before bed to relax and unwind." If you do everything to prevent summer insomnia but still find yourself tossing and turning, Kenny recommends hopping in your shower room. "A lukewarm shower before bed will help trigger that cooling response your body needs to sleep," he explains. And if you're sleep health obsessed and want to track your circadian rhythm, REM state, stress, heart rate, and more, then the Oura Gen3 Horizon Smart Ring should be on your wishlist. Masquerading as a stylish ring is actually a tech-savvy piece of jewelry that will monitor your activity and help you optimize your routine for the better. Color: Pink A good sleep mask can make falling asleep a dream, and this eye mask from Amazon is well-rated and made from 100% natural mulberry silk for maximum comfort. View Deal Color: Black Finding a fan that works well and looks good can be tough, but this Shark Flex Bladeless Tower Fan manages to check all my boxes. Sleek and efficient, it's a great investment to cool your bedroom. View Deal Includes: Pillow Mist + Rollerball This Sleep Heroes Dream Beauty Gift Set from Oliver Bonas is a great gift for a fellow summer insomniac or even as a treat to yourself. The blend of lavender and chamomile will relax you into a deep sleep. View Deal Technically speaking, there isn't a set amount of hours that rounds up to insomnia. However, if you're having trouble falling asleep on a regular basis, it's best to seek help from a doctor or a sleep psychologist to help you identify the cause of your insomnia. Beyond taking help from these brilliant sleep experts, I also recommend trying the Scandinavian sleeping method. Since this recommendation only applies to shared beds, if you have the luxury of a mattress all your own, then consider switching to bedding for hot weather.
