Attention All Moms: Getting The Sleep You Need Will Improve Your Health And Well-Being

It is not surprising to realize that women tend to cut their sleep needs short. Today’s moms are busier than ever before with demands from all angles: from work, from their child’s school and from home.

Many times the only quiet, reflective part of the day is when an exhausted mom is climbing into bed.

And even then, many lie awake at night thinking about the next day’s tasks, stressing about household finances and worrying about family issues.

Further, when the kids are sleeping, moms can be tempted to begin projects that are impossible to complete when they are awake, which may lead to a delay in time-to-bed.

As Mother’s Day approaches, the American Academy of Sleep Medicine (AASM) reminds all mothers and all moms-to-be of the importance of a good night’s sleep to maintaining good health and optimum performance.

Susie Esther, MD, medical director of The Sleep Center at SouthPark, a part of Charlotte Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Associates, P.A., and a member of the AASM board of directors, says that one of the other challenges for today’s mothers comes from shift work schedules.

Further, said Esther, more and more of today’s moms are trying to both spend time with their children and work outside of the home as well.