March Sleep Awareness Week is March 12th-18th

Sleeping isn’t just relaxing, it’s essential to health and well-being. We are continually learning more and more about how sleep, or lack thereof, affects our health, especially in children. Children ages 5 to 12 need at least 10-11 hours of sleep each night.

Why is Sleep Important?

1. Sleep helps the brain remember what it has learned that day.

2. It helps us concentrate and pay attention in school.

3. It helps us with problem solving.

4. Sleep helps us stay healthy, fight illness, and repair injuries.

5. It helps our muscles, skin, and bones to grow.

Lack of Sleep Causes:

1. Forgetfulness

2. Can lead to grumpiness

3. Difficulty with concentration

4. Can cause children to be hyper or irritable.

5. Can make it harder to heal from injury or to get better from an illness.

How Can I Help My Child Sleep Better?

There are several ways to help encourage good sleep habits. These tips can be helpful for children and adults alike.

1. Turn off electronics at least one hour before bedtime. Keep televisions, computers, and mobile devices out of children’s rooms. Research has shown that the blue light emitted from electronics can stimulate the brain making it difficult to fall asleep. It has been found that watching tv before bed is associated with bedtime resistance, difficulty falling asleep, and sleeping fewer hours.

2. Avoid caffeine several hours before bed. No soda with dinner!

3. Avoid strenuous activity at least two hours before bedtime. While regular exercise can help to promote good sleep, if done too closely to bedtime it keeps the body and mind active.

Sources: National Sleep Foundation, www.helpguide.org, www.kidshealth.org