Sleepless nights are a part of life for most parents, and according to a recent Instagram post from Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, celebrities are no exception.
From late-night feedings to early-morning wakings (and all the crying in between), moms and dads routinely suffer from sleep deprivation. Even though research has shown that the quality of your sleep is directly linked to your ability to parent, maintaining a healthy balance between the two is easier said than done.
Because some caregivers might be afraid to admit their vulnerability to these parenting woes, former pro-wrestler and action movie star Dwayne Johnson posted a sentiment via Instagram to foster a little solidarity.
“Working late and had only 3hrs sleep when this tornado busts in our bedroom, jumps on me and pleads with me to get up,” he wrote about his 2-year-old daughter, Jasmine. The post features a picture of Johnson playing with her in his closet along with a caption that encourages parents to “always take these moments when [you] can, even when you’re tired as hell.”
Despite being sleep-deprived, The Rock acknowledged that “there’s gunna come a time when jumping in [his arms] is the last thing [his daughter] wants to do,” underlining a thought process of many weary parents. Unfortunately, the reality is we walk a dangerously thin line when we don’t get the rest our bodies need.
SLEEP, PLAY, REPEAT
While The Rock’s sleep troubles are bound to get more media attention, he’s certainly not the only exhausted parent in America. In fact, the CDC reports that one in three adults don’t get enough sleep, and further studies have shown that new parents are particularly fatigued. While Johnson’s feelings about seizing every possible moment ring true with parents all over the world, trading snooze time for bonding time with your little ones can have adverse effects on both your mind and body.
Among a host of other health-related issues, poor sleep quality has been linked to higher risk of obesity, hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease. And we’re not just talking about people who get an alarmingly low amount of rest; merely losing an hour or two of sleep per night can carry severe consequences.
While some parents might feel the extra play time is worth a little wear and tear on their bodies, research has also shown that folks who don’t get enough sleep have a harder time controlling their emotions and experiencing joy.
Note: The content on Sleepopolis is meant to be informative in nature, but shouldn’t be taken as medical advice or take the place of medical advice from a trained professional. If you feel you or your child may be suffering from any sleep disorder or medical condition, please see a healthcare provider.
FINDING YOUR BALANCE
Although infants tend to dictate the sleep schedules of their parents, there are some measures one can take to foster a healthy balance and prevent sleep deprivation.
For example, the National Sleep Foundation suggests getting plenty of exercise during the day, avoiding sugar, nicotine, alcohol and caffeine, and napping when your baby does. Additionally, making sure your bedroom is comfortable and properly prepped for those rare moments in which you do get a few Zzz’s to yourself can help you to relax.
Finding your sleep-life balance can be tough, but having a good mattress, disconnecting from technology before bed, and curating a healthy bedtime routine before your baby is born are some of the steps you can take to quality slumber. Whether you decide to co-sleep, sleep in separate bedrooms, are a famous actor or a schoolteacher — maintaining good sleep hygiene will help keep you and your children healthy.
Featured image courtesy of @therock on Instagram