Prepare For New Challenges

New challenges may come up. Your schedule may change. Your child’s schedule may change. Establish healthy habits, but be ready to make changes when needed. Whenever possible, try to plan ahead for a change.

Example

Scenario: Your child will be starting school in a week. You will need to wake up at 6:00 a.m. to help him get ready for school. Currently you wake up at 7 a.m.

Sleep Plan: At least four days before you need to wake up earlier, start shifting your sleep window backwards by 15 minutes each night. You can also shift it back by 30 minutes a few days before the change. The more you can plan ahead, the more gradual the change will be for your routine and your body. On the first day you need to wake up earlier, you are more likely to feel refreshed and ready for the change. Have your child join you in this sleep shift to help him or her feel ready as well!

List changes to your sleep schedule you foresee. Write the date of the change and the date you will start to adjust your sleep. Make gradual changes. Allow at least several days to adjust.