6 Sneaky Snoozes in Seconds, Minutes & Moments

Dear Diary,

A close friend once told me, “Being a mom is exhausting.  I have to take a nap to become tired!”   Before I become a mother, I didn’t fully understand that statement.  Obviously, it took more energy to check off a mom’s to-do list, but if she only has one child, she should still get enough rest, right?  Well, that’s what I thought even after I brought my daughter home from the hospital.  A newborn sleeps A LOT!  Therefore, I didn’t follow the repeated advice to sleep when your baby sleeps.  I would have always been asleep!  I napped with her if needed, but managed to stay alert and energized.  Grant it, I was a stay-at-home mom for many months, so I’m sure that had a lot to do with it.  It wasn’t until my little love bug blossomed into an active infant that I understood what my friend’s comment meant.  I now had permanent dark circles under my eyes.  Circles I was too tired to hide with cover up.  My daughter started crawling the day after she turned seven months, and I’ve been chasing after her ever since!  I was tired.  Then I found sneaky spots to take a nap.  Even if for only a few minutes, the snooze gave me a quick burst of energy to finish folding clothes, making dinner, or picking up toys my baby now spread around the house.

Seconds…

1. The Toilet

OK, moms, by know nothing should gross you out!  I didn’t say you had to be “using” the toilet, but either way, you can close your eyes for a few seconds, breath deeply and massage your temples.  Sometimes all you need is a few seconds to think about…nothing at all!

Minutes….

2. The Shower 

With a little imagination, an ordinary shower head can turn into the hydrotherapy treatment you may have received at a five-star spa.  Close your eyes and envision Vichy shower heads running up and down your back.   The warm water releases the tension built up in your neck and caresses your body down to your toes.  Rub on a salt scrub and a few minutes later, you’ll step out not only well rested but with a reappearance of your pregnancy glow.

Moments…

3.  The Bathtub

If you have a moment, fill your bathtub with hot water, pour in some bubbles, light a couple scented candles, turn on a relaxation station on Pandora, and blow up a bath pillow.  (If you have a few dollars to spare, there are some waterproof pillows with massagers built inside!)  Like the famous commercial, ask Calgon to take you away!

Seconds…

4. The Gym 

If you are enrolled in a baby gym or take a Mommy & Me class, you can sneak a few seconds of sleep while working out.  Make sure your baby is safely situation, and shut your eyes during a stretch.  Or close your lids during a breathing exercise.

Minutes…

5. The Laundry Room

If your child’s father is taking care of your little one while you take care of household chores, you can catch a few Z’s while your clothes are on the spin cycle.  Rarely do I accurately time out my loads, so I head downstairs while the load is still rinsing.  Instead of finding another task to complete, have a seat and hit snooze.

Moments…

6. The Job 

If you are back to work and must take an hour lunch, take a cat nap in your car.  At first, you might feel guilty, but technically, you’re not sleeping on the job.  You’re entitled to this time off.  Pack a lunch and pack a travel pillow.  Turn on some tunes and recline your seat.  Just remember to set your alarm!  If you work near a park or another scenic setting, take a short drive, enjoy eating with a view, and dream about the scene!

Hey DFTM family–Where do you sneak in extra sleep?