Rest for parents is not a luxury – it’s a necessity.

Parenthood can be a wild ride. On the one hand, every day can seem long and the same, and on the other hand, you wonder where the time has gone. The balance between freedom and responsibility, as you know it, is gone, and you have to manage this transition while having less sleep than you have ever had.
No wonder being a parent can be overwhelming!
As much as we love our little bundles of joy, it can be tempting to collapse on the couch and scream, “I need a vacation!” But, too often, we feel like taking a break isn’t possible, thinking it’s a luxury we can’t afford. That’s because, now, a break has to be planned, and third persons have to be involved. You can’t just spontaneously even go for a run.
Because of this pressure, parents are under rest is not a luxury, but more than ever- a necessity.

Here are three reasons why:

1. Avoid becoming a zombie parent!
   Let’s be honest. When you’re sleep-deprived, you start to resemble the walking dead. You’re grumpy, irritable, and your responses are delayed. And the last thing you want is to be unable to give attention to your little ones in a way they deserve it. According to a study by the National Sleep Foundation, 43% of parents reported that lack of sleep impacted their mood, and 41% said it affected their ability to perform daily tasks, so if you do feel like a zombie sometimes, and loading the dishwasher feels like an overwhelming task statistics say you are not alone. So plan for that nap or a sleep-in whenever you can. Ask someone from your network to take your little one to the other room for an hour or two so you can hit the couch and snooze.
2. Set a good example:
   When your child is tired, do you ask them to power through? Our guess is that you are probably making sure that they didn’t get too much screen time before bed, and you are tucking them in with all the love so they can be rested for the next day. If you could do the same for yourself, the world would be a better place. By doing so, you will set an excellent example for your baby. Your baby will learn the importance of self-care and rest as they grow up, which can have long-lasting benefits for their physical and emotional health. And yes, we know that you are not a baby who can sleep whenever they feel like it, but perhaps taking a hot shower and avoiding Netflix before going to bed would improve your sleep quality?
3. Improve your relationships:
   A study by the American Academy of Pediatrics found that sleep-deprived individuals are more likely to experience lapses in attention, which can lead to accidents and misunderstandings. Taking care of yourself and seeking breaks can improve your relationships with your partner, family, and friends. When you are rested, you are less likely to be irritable and better able to communicate and connect with others because you are more likely to pay full attention. It’s when you are tired that the pair of socks on the floor next to the laundry basket turn into a raging fight. So if you can seek help from friends and family or hire a caregiver, it will alleviate the stress and give you a much-needed break to get your attention span back.