As we watch, the best athletes worldwide are competing in the Olympic Games and soon the incredible Paralympic Games. I’m glued to the TV (cheering on both Canada and Team GB)!
But I wanted to share a big “secret” these athletes from every country have in common, regardless of the flag they wave.
Of course, the athletes are all dedicated, passionate, hard-working and living their dream. To reach the pinnacle of their sport, they have worked hard through blood, sweat and tears, and pain (have you seen some of the falls they take?). They have all sacrificed a lot to be there.
What’s the one thing that these incredible and inspiring athletes WON’T sacrifice as the train and get ready for their events?
Sleep!
Being well-rested is one of their TOP priorities, along with nutrition. (Although I’ve seen some very successful bobsledders pack away an incredible amount of McDonald’s burgers in the athletes’ village.)
Olympic gold and bronze medallist and four-time Olympian, Lindsey Vonn, reportedly naps daily and aims for 10 hours of sleep every night. As the most decorated female alpine skier in history, Vonn knows that the focus on sleep helps her body recover better from injury and ensures she’s in the optimum physical and mental form to win.
Are you a tennis fan? Roger Federer literally sleeps like a baby, getting 12 hours a night! He feels it’s THAT important to his success.
I’ve Seen It First-Hand
I spent several years working for the Olympics and Paralympics, managing the Athletes’ Village in 2010. It was a fantastic way to meet some incredible athletes and understand what’s important for them when they prepare for the biggest competition of their lives.
Okay, You May Not Be An Olympian
But that doesn’t mean sleep is less important for your little one, or for you. After all, as a parent, you’re doing the most important job of your life! Good sleep is equally as vital for you and your baby, toddler, or child, as it is for the athletes competing for gold.
Have you ever said? “One day he will be a teenager, and I won’t be able to get him up!” or “She’ll figure it out; eventually, I’m sure.”
If you haven’t said it, I know you’ve likely heard someone else say it.
Unfortunately, when you don’t make sleep a priority or treat it as a bonus or “nice to have,” you may be missing out on good, age-appropriate sleep for your little one AND for you. If your little one isn’t sleeping well, it means you’re not either.
There’s almost always something that can be done to improve sleep!
Parenthood Doesn’t HAVE To Be Exhausting
There is a certain amount of sleep deprivation that does come with parenthood. Newborn babies do need regular night feeds. When your little one is sick, they may need you all night long.
There is so much you can do to help with age-appropriate sleep, and it doesn’t need to include having your little one “cry it out.”
Often, it’s as simple as making your little one’s sleep needs a priority, just as Olympians do.
The Sleepy Lambs® approach always looks for the cause of sleep challenges. Causes of sleep challenges range from medical, developmental, environmental, scheduling and routine, habits, nutrition, emotional, and more. We feel that when the causes are addressed, better sleep becomes much easier.
If you’d like some help, we’ll be there with you every step of the way. Just book a free chat to get started!
- About the Author
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Hi! I’m Mary. Founder of Sleepy Lambs Sleep Consulting. I’m the mum of 3 very busy kids and have an amazing hubby. I grew up in Canada but we love our home in England.
I’m passionate about making the parenting journey a little easier for you and helping your little one become a GREAT sleeper!
