The results of a new survey conducted by today.com and parenting.com of 26,000 moms has been making headlines recently. Why? Because the survey asks about “secrets” or “confessions” that many people would be reluctant to admit (e.g., Q: do you have a favorite child? A: 14% responded yes).
The graphic above displays three very interesting and related survey questions and responses. First, 52.6% of moms would prefer a night of uninterrupted sleep over mind-blowing sex. Second, 44.5% of moms would prefer to lose 15 pounds than to add 15 points to their child’s IQ. Third, 58% or moms would prefer to spend more time with their kid(s) than to get a 50% raise at work. Bottom line, moms want more quality sleep, they want to lose weight, and they want more time to spend with their kids.
Now, we know that there are links between poor sleep and weight gain (or conversely, quality sleep and weight loss). Dan recently presented on this precise topic at the Ancestral Health Symposium (link to previous blog post here) and we have discussed the topic on this blog in the past (links between sleep and obesity in children, links between sleep and health, and links between daytime activity and nighttime sleep). We have also highlighted the critical important role that the nutritional gatekeeper of a household has on (most often, her) family and how food additives might be associated with reduced attention and concentration in children.
So what are we (moms and otherwise) to do? Well, one option is to focus our recreational or “down time” more closely around food and physical activity. Try to replace sedentary activities (TV, computer, video games, movies) with activities that involve movement (walking, going to the playground, playing with a pet, playing sports). This could result in spending more time with your kids and incorporating more movement into your day (and your child’s day) will likely lead to better sleep. And, better sleep leads to weight loss. Making fresh and healthy meals also leads to weight loss and together with a good night’s rest, might also help improve everyone’s concentration at work and at school. Many kids love helping out in the kitchen too, so if you can find age-appropriate tasks for them, you can replace those sedentary activities with ones that will encourage their imagination and teach them how to design and create awesome things that they can eat.
So, perhaps with a little restructuring, we can have it all - great sleep and great sex, smart kids and fit parents, time together and greater productivity at work.
Cheers,
Larry