How to Get a Better Night’s Sleep

Having two children eight years apart, it stands to reason that I haven’t REALLY slept well in almost 13 years. I’ve been waiting for the day when I no longer had to listen for whimpers in the night or little feet padding down the stairs. And with my youngest son’s sixth birthday quickly approaching, the day has finally come when this mama can reclaim a better night’s sleep….except it hasn’t. Now, don’t worry…I’m not about to tell you that there’s another baby on the way. Those days are long past. Instead, it’s a slightly older member of the family that’s keeping me from blissful nights and refreshed mornings but all that is about to change. Why you ask? Well, this mama is about to take back her right to a peaceful night’s sleep that leads to a better morning with four simple tips that ensure my days of being woken up are a thing of the past.

Now, I know what you’re thinking - I went out and bought myself some earplugs to deal with my hubby’s nasal congestion and mouth breathing and the answer would be NOPE! I didn’t move into the guest room either. In fact, I didn’t do anything to distance myself from my man, but I am finding ways to do something that changes the nighttime noise.

Because instead of finding ways to ignore the noises that comes from our bedroom during the night (which at times feel like they shake the house), this mama is solving the problem and at the same time giving my hubby and myself the gift of catching those much needed ZZZs! Don’t worry; I’m about to tell you more because I know many of you are tired of throwing elbows and pulling the pillow over your head at night, just like me! So here are a few simple tips that will help your (and your noisy spouse) get a better night’s sleep.

Exercise Together

The couple that gets active together sleeps better together. Think I’m joking? I’m totally NOT! While I’m not a medical professional, some research suggests that moderate exercise can help reduce mouth breathing. Not only does it strengthen the muscles of our bodies but it can strengthen the muscles in the throat, which essentially allows for better breathing at night. I’m not sure of all the science behind it (remember, no MD here!), but what I do know is that when the hubs and I exercise together for just thirty minutes a day, it seems that the nights are much more peaceful.

Shower Before Bed

I know what you’re thinking…what does being clean have to do with avoiding nasal congestion. And the answer is, well, nothing. But being clean isn’t the real point of taking a warm shower before bed. Opening up the nasal passages is. And a warm to hot shower is a perfect way to do this. I strongly encourage the hubby to close the doors, ignore the kids and steam up that bathroom, all while focusing on taking long, deep breaths in through his nose and out through his mouth. Heck, I don’t care if he doesn’t even pick up the shampoo as long as that steam and hot water is doing its job, because when he does this on a regular basis, sleep for both of us is a beautiful thing!

Drink a Cup of Lemon Mint Tea

I’m a tea drinker in the evenings. For me it’s a perfect way to relax and prepare myself for a peaceful night’s sleep. While the hubby doesn’t always join me in this practice, I’ve discovered that especially when he’s experiencing more nasal congestion than normal, it’s a game changer. I like to whip up my easy lemon mint tea for him that helps to open those sinus cavities and cut down on the noise that tends to keep me awake. And while I try to offer it to him with a smile on my face instead of a scowl, he knows that if he wants to share my bed, he’d better drink up!

What You Will Need:

2 Cups of Boiling Water

1 Bag of Your Favorite Tea (Decaffeinated)

5-6 Mint Leaves

1/2 of a Lemon

1 Teaspoon of Honey

How to Make It:

To make our lemon mint tea, I start by steeping my tea bag and my mint leaves in my boiling water.

After about five minutes, I remove my tea bag but allow my mint leaves to continue to steep for an additional five minutes. Once I’ve removed my mint leaves, I squeeze in my lemon and stir in my honey, and my lemon mint tea is ready to drink.

Not only does this soothing tea help prepare us both for bed, but the mint in it opens up our nasal cavities to reduce nasal congestion, and the honey coats our throats to help cut down on mouth breathing. Trust me when I say this is an essential part of our bedtime routine on those nights when I want to sleep well.

Add Breathe Right® Nasal Strips to Your Nightly Routine

While all the remedies above combined have helped me battle nasal congestion and mouth breathing with my hubby, the most effective weapon in my sleep better arsenal is Breathe Right® Nasal Strips from Walmart.

Available in the pharmacy section, Extra Tan Breathe Right Nasal Strips are my secret weapon to sleeping great and waking up refreshed. The nasal strips are perfect to help with nasal congestion and mouth breathing on a regular basis. Now, whether it’s to help with allergies (which the hubby has majorly!), when colds strike or just as a way to help with mouth breathing, these easy to apply nasal strips are the best way to relieve nasal congestion in my hubby FAST!

To apply them, he simply pulls a strip out of the Breathe Right box that I make sure is always on hand and applies it right above the flare of his nostrils. Since the strips easily stick into place, there is no need to push down hard or put in any extra effort just rub the strip on your nose to ensure it adheres well.

The Breathe Right® Nasal Strips then pull gently outward, opening up his nostrils and allowing more airflow in and out, which helps him breathe better AND sleep better.

And since they come in a variety of options like calming scent and sensitive skin, it’s easy to find one that’s just right for my main man!

With these small strips that open his nose up to 38% more than cold or allergy medicines alone* (*versus decongestant sprays alone) while being drug-free and clinically proven to instantly lift the nasal passage and open the nose, nasal congestion and mouth breathing are becoming a thing of the past in my home. And while I can’t guarantee that he won’t occasionally make a sound here and there, chances are the only sound coming from my bedroom will now be a sigh of contentment that a good night’s sleep causes!

When he wakes up in the morning (after a much quieter night of sleep might I add), he simply goes about his morning routine, washing his face and then gently removing the strip! By simply following his normal routine, he’s able to loosen the strip so that it comes right off. And just like that, we’re both ready for a bright and beautiful (and did I mention well-rested?) day!

By adding these nasal strips that help the hubby breathe better to our nightly routine, I’m rediscovering what a peaceful night of sleep feels like. I’m learning that I’m a much better wife and mama when I get eight hours of glorious, uninterrupted rest. And I’m discovering that after years of kids keeping me awake, I won’t have to spend the rest of my life being kept away by the man I choose to share my bed with.

Instead, we’re both finding ways to wake up rested and ready for a better day…and it all starts with Breathe Right® Nasal Strips and these simple tips for a better night’s sleep!

So, whether your hubby suffers from nasal congestion or your wife is a mouth breather, I challenge you to take back your nights and stop sacrificing your sleep! Be sure to grab your Breathe Right $1 off Coupon and/or free sample here! Pair your new Breathe Right® Nasal Strips with my other simple tips, and you too might just discover the difference that a great night’s sleep can make to both you and your spouse!

Now tell me, how would you or your spouse (or both) benefit from the ability of Breathe Right Nasal Strips to help you get a better night’s sleep?