https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sun, 19 Apr 2026 23:29:35 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801113 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 16:03:13 +0000 Jennibenni 2801113@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Bluebonnet: Thanks, I will check out that program! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801089 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 14:44:43 +0000 Bluebonnet 2801089@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: My kids are a similar age gap and I WFT. The first year was REALLY HARD. I had to let a lot go and focus on survival instead of anything "extra". My husband has always been involved, but he really stepped it up after #2 because I just couldn't do it all.</p> <p>For exercise, I highly recommend Mommastrong.com - its 15 minute workouts designed for busy Moms. The owner, Courtney, is a Mom and she talks a lot about "winning ugly" - so working out even if that means your kid is awake and climbing on you and self care (figuring out what you need to be doing to take care of yourself and handle life). Its only $2 a month, so its not a huge financial commitment and if you are interested in working out at this stage in your life, it may be exactly what you need. I've come to realize that when I'm getting regular exercise, I eat better, I sleep better, I have more energy, and I have more patience. So even though things are still crazy, I know I have to find a way to exercise to take care of my physical and mental health.</p> <p>I hope this helps. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801045 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 12:26:29 +0000 Jennibenni 2801045@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSCB: I’m still on maternity leave so I’m home right now. Technically I could try to exercise during nap time but my son is not a long napper (at home, he sleeps great in his car seat if we’re doing a day of errands) and during his naps I’m usually trying to get something to eat, laundry, pay bills, etc. All the stuff I’m too tired to stay up late and do. So I guess that’s kind of the root of my question. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801035 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 11:26:09 +0000 MrsSCB 2801035@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Not sure if you work or SAH, but I work so I exercise during lunch. That is the ONLY way I actually exercise. Otherwise I'm too tired.</p> <p>If you SAH, could you do a quick workout during naptime? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801010 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:21:41 +0000 Jennibenni 2801010@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Thanks everyone for your responses. They are both encouraging and discouraging at the same time ha ha. I guess I was hoping for a magic solution but I am taking away some good tips. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2801004 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 10:10:44 +0000 Modern Daisy 2801004@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a high sleep needs person with a full time job and 2 small kids who wake multiple times a night and are up for the day super early. Most days I am exhausted and can barely make sense when speaking at work. But on nights when I manage to get to bed early and the boys have mercy on me and only wake once or not at all I am #winning. On those days I prioritize projects or errands that I know wouldn’t be possible on little sleep. Every other day I do what I have to do to get through without saying anything too idiotic or exploding at anyone. I hear this is just a phase and we will all eventually sleep. I really hope that’s true.. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800978 Wed, 31 Jan 2018 08:18:35 +0000 hilary 2800978@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I dropped my phone on my face last night at 9:15 so high sleep needs here too! I really only do projects on the weekend and early bed time for the kids. I do a quick HIIT workout in the bathroom while the kids play in the bath and sometimes do light weight exercises while watching tv. But really not as fit as I'd like to be now. It's hard to be consistent and I always prioritize sleep first because I'm not very nice when I don't. :bummed: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800969 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 23:40:42 +0000 Dahlia 2800969@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I didn't. DD finally slept through the night around 16 months, and at the point I worked on getting all caught up at work. Around 2 I added some reading for fun and projects back in, and now finally at 2.5 I am getting back to exercising regularly. Until those milestones, however, I decided sleep was way more important than projects or exercise. I did try to walk a lot with DD at least. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800963 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 22:09:05 +0000 Mama Bird 2800963@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Either I give up sleep and do fun projects, or I give up projects and sleep. Giving up either one makes me miserable, so I take turns with which one gets dropped on which days. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800948 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 20:22:18 +0000 LCTBQE 2800948@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>No solution here :) We sleep trained early, at 4.5 months, but it took until almost year before he was super reliable about STTN. I start to mentally break down if I don't get 7 hours a night and my husband refuses to help at night, so training was non-negotiable for me, and I think it has been wonderful for my baby, he gets so much more rest and better quality this way. </p> <p>As for projects and exercise, it's a bummer but I just don't do them at all. We both work out of home full time and have long commutes, and my priorities are spending time with the boy, keeping the house clean and organized which keeps me sane, and keeping my job. Fitness and friendships have suffered, which is a bummer. I think if you are in this stage all you can do is pick the one or two things that you absolutely need and try to squeeze those in while you keep your head above water on everything else. I'm pregnant now with #2 but really hopeful that in a few years it'll be easier. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800947 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 19:57:57 +0000 MACSUNSHINE 2800947@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have no solution, I am in the same boat as you. We are expecting baby #2 and I am seriously wondering how in the world I find time for me. I have found a way to function on less sleep, although I currently have the flu which is a result of the less sleep and pregnancy situation.</p> <p>Some of it is truly prioritizing and asking my husband to do things. On a quarterly basis I work extremely long hours, 55-60 hour work weeks, and I am just exhausted from it. It has taken pregnancy and the flu on top of that for me to say, hey buddy you need to pack LO's lunch and do dishes. I tend to be the one that is "I want you to want to do the dishes," after over 10 years of living together I should realize my husband is amazing but a sink full of dishes is not something he is ever going to do.</p> <p>I do think as others have said as the kids get older it gets easier. If you find the magic solution please let me know, I crave the sweat sessions and feeling good about myself again. I just cannot find it in me to make it a priority since becoming a mom. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800881 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 15:18:43 +0000 Mamaof2 2800881@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Jennibenni: honestly, I didn't until my kids were much older - once my kids were around 5 and 7 life became so much easier and that's when I started to focus on myself again </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800859 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 13:36:06 +0000 JennyPenny 2800859@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>The biggest thing that's helped me lately is being more mindful about my phone use. I would just zone out to it and time would be wasted without me really noticing. I really only have an hour to myself in the evenings and if I devote myself to something completely I can get a lot done, but even goofing around for 20 minutes can cut into it a lot.</p> <p>On a practical note, my kids are in bed by 8:30, I usually get 100% ready for bed myself and am done with that by 9. I spend an hour on whatever I want to do (sometimes TV, sometimes projects, sometimes cleaning). At 10 I go up to bed. Since I'm ready I'm under the covers reading my book by 10:05. I read till I get drowsy usually around 10:30/10:45. On days that I work out I wake up at 7:00, do a quick 20-30 minute work out. Kids are usually up around 7:30/7:45. I also work out sometimes on my lunch break at work.</p> <p>ETA: I work 9-5, work 10 minutes from home, and the kids are in daycare on-site at my office. So that definitely gives me more hours in a day than a lot of people. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800849 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:57:53 +0000 Ajsmommy 2800849@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a high sleep needs individual and right now I keep projects to a minimum and I don't exercise. I know I should be putting it as more of a priority but for now I just feel like it's the PHASE I'm in. I'm in the "survival phase". I know I don't look my best and I know I should be doing something about it but right now I am surviving. I am surviving an 11 month old who doesn't STTN, a 4 yo who occasionally wakes as well, an hour commute each way and a full time job.... I'm quite frankly giving myself a pass until things get more calm and I move out of this phase. The problem I have is.... is when does this phase end?????? </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800839 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:32:21 +0000 skinnycow 2800839@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My daughter does STTN now so I guess take my advice with a grain of salt. I seriously can't function on less than 7-8 hours of sleep so I make sure I'm in bed by 9:30-10 every night. </p> <p>In my case - I can only prioritize a few things at a time and right now those things are sleep and exercise. After my daughter goes to bed, I do a workout video in my living room, eat a post workout meal and watch a few mins of a recording, then spend the rest of the night meal prepping and getting any necessary cleaning done. I also shower/dry my hair at night because it saves me time in the morning when I'm still hitting the snooze button. I usually only get a few minutes of free/personal time at night but that's just the phase we're in right now.</p> <p>My house is usually a disorganized mess and I rarely get projects done unless I take a day off work without DD. I have a Roomba to take care of sweeping/vacuuming and someone to come clean the house every other week. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800820 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 12:04:05 +0000 gingerbebe 2800820@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We sleeptrained both our kids and I prioritize my sleep. I might be able to push through for a short period on 5-6 hours a night, but I can't do it longer than a few days before I crash. DH knows that my mental health is very closely tied to my sleep, so if we're going through some phase or illness with the kids, he will be mindful to taking more on so I can get more rest. To be at my best, I typically need 7 solid hours a night, and usually need naps on the weekends to make up any deficits.</p> <p>We haven't done anything on our new house since we moved in August, but since the beginning of the year, I've been carving out 30 minutes to run on our treadmill every other day to do the C25K program. I keep meal prep very simple for our family. Generally I reheat something I made the night before for dinner, get the kids to bed (I handle DS2 who is quick to sleep and DH handles DS1 who drags out bedtime a bit more). While DS1 is being put down, I pack lunches, figure out dinner for the next night, and then run or relax. I would say my chores are done by 9pm most nights and I can typically choose to go to bed by 10-1030pm if I wanted to, but between messing with my phone or running to the grocery store, its more like 11pm during the week. But I can get ready very fast in the morning so I don't usually get up until 6:30am. </p> <p>DH does the dishes before bed and usually handles the laundry. He also makes sure the cars are gassed up so I can get to and from work as fast as possible. We have a housecleaner who comes every 2 weeks and a lawn service.</p> <p>Basically, if we have food to eat, clean clothes, and I can get to work on time, I consider it a win. Someday the house will get decorated and fixed up, but for now, we're just surviving while I work insane hours (busy season at work) and trying to get enough sleep so I can function without losing my mind. I have two boys who are 3 and 1 years old - everything in my house/car is going to look thrashed anyway! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800799 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 11:06:25 +0000 looch 2800799@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>When my son was little, I learned that his best block of sleep was between 7 and 11pm. So, I adjusted my sleep so that I was sleeping during that time. It made it so that when he woke in the night (which he did until he was at least 2 years old), I was able to wake up as well and tend to him. If I didn't, I would get a second wind and couldn't fall asleep until at least 2 am and it just didn't work.</p> <p>Now, I am able to stay up later and I've found my magic numbers, which are 9 hours of sleep, with lights out at around 9:15. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800794 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:59:20 +0000 Jennibenni 2800794@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@BadgerMom: Thanks, your points are both good ones! We are pro sleep training and are starting some light fall-asleep training with the baby. My two year old slept 13 hours straight for a year and a half but in the last few months we’ve moved to a new house/new room, out of the crib (climbing out), and had a new baby and he has some understandable separation anxiety. I do feel he needs some sleep training but I also feel bad for him with all the changes in his little life, and I admittedly haven’t done any reading on sleep training a toddler. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800792 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:57:21 +0000 jennlin821 2800792@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I am a high sleep needs person, and I was so worried about how I was going to deal with the lack of sleep after having a baby! Anyways, DD is now 13 mo. old, so we've all survived so far :silly: </p> <p>Anyways, what we do (and have done in some fashion from the beginning) is alternate nights. DD sleeps through the night now (thank god) so my husband and I switch off with the baby monitor each night. That way if DD is crying in the middle of the night, or gets up early, one parent is 'on duty' to take care of her. The other parent gets to continue sleeping. </p> <p>This way I know that I can get a solid nights sleep without having to worry about listening for the baby. My husband is a light sleeper, so on his 'off duty' nights he uses earplugs. </p> <p>This also helps because that means that each of us can sleep in a little on the weekend without feeling guilty about the other person not getting a chance. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800789 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:54:45 +0000 BadgerMom 2800789@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a high sleep needs person and the whole staying up late/getting up early doesn't work for me if I'm not getting enough sleep. I think in your situation you have two choices (neither is right or wrong)...<br /> 1. Sleep train. If your kids are sleeping through the night, and therefore you are getting a full nights sleep you will have a lot more energy to do other things and will be able to stay up/get up more often.<br /> 2. Stop even trying to do projects and things. Give yourself some grace, and allow yourself to be exhausted and go to bed. This won't last forever, and your kids will eventually sleep. You can do all the things you want to do then. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800782 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:46:29 +0000 MrsADS 2800782@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I'm a high sleep needs person and I'm miserable when I'm exhausted and don't get enough sleep. My son didn't STTN until we sleep trained him at 18 months and I was also working full time. Honestly, for his first 18 months, I just didn't do any projects, exercising (or minimal), etc. It was really all about survival and maximizing sleep. This meant that I tried to go to bed as early as possible every night and nap when I could on the weekends. I did the bare minimum of other stuff. It's not ideal but it will get better eventually :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/if-you-are-a-high-sleep-needs-person-how-do-you-fit-in-exercise-projects-etc#post-2800776 Tue, 30 Jan 2018 10:35:44 +0000 Jennibenni 2800776@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I have always been a high sleep needs person. I just have a hard time focusing or functioning on low sleep. I have a 2 year old who wakes up multiple times a night and a three month old who wakes up 2-3 times a night still and I’m exhausted. All the time. I don’t exercise at all, I have unfinished projects all around the house. I know the answer to getting things like that done is to get up before everyone or stay up late but I’m so tired that I’m dropping my phone on my face while I try to set my alarm at night and I have to drag myself out of bed. </p> <p>How does everybody do it? </p>