Zebras Catch ZZZZZ's

In Zachary Shapiro's We're All in the SAME BOAT, zebras catch ZZZZZ's . . . and so should you!  Even though our routines are different, we should continue to get proper rest each night!  It's okay if your schedule is altered (we've always said to get to bed by 8:00), but you may not be getting up as early with our "new normal?!"  Make sure you rest well.  The National Sleep Foundation recommends 9-11 hours of sleep each night for school-aged children 6-13 years old.  

I created a bracelet to help me remember seven strategies for getting that good night's rest:

Clock Charm:  Get 9-11 hours of rest each night, establish a sleep schedule (try to go to bed around the same time each evening) 

Apple Charm:  Pay attention to food and drink.  Don't got to bed hungry or stuffed.  Avoid caffeine, alcohol, and nicotine.

Light Bulb Charm:  Create a restful environment.  Limit screen time before bed.  Make the room dark.  

I 💙 Yoga Charm:  Engage in physical activity during the day so body is tired at night.

Brain Charm:  Manage your worries and stress.

Butterfly Charm:  Do a little yoga--folding the body soothes a ramped up nervous system🦋

Spinning Charm:  If you're still spinning, "legs us the wall" is another helpful yoga pose!     

I also made this a bedtime yoga routine to correspond with the charms:

Clock Charm:  A clock has a face and hands and you do too! Seated with crossed legs, rub your palms together to create heat. Gently cup the hands over your face to relax your eyes. 

Apple Charm:  banana side stretch

Light Bulb Charm:  fold over the crossed legs, recross the legs and fold again

I 💙 Yoga Charm:  seated twist

Brain Charm:  switch breath

Butterfly Charm:  butterfly fold

Spinning Charm:  legs up the wall