How to Help Your Kids Get More Sleep
By Genevieve Cunningham
Everyone needs sleep. We need sleep in order to think clearly, feel stable with our moods, and function at our best. When we don't get enough, we're likely to notice -- and other people will probably notice, too! And this is especially true when it comes to children. Kids need even more sleep than adults, and unfortunately, most kids in today's world aren't getting nearly enough. So how can we turn that around for our own children? If you would like to improve the health of your kids by helping them get more sleep, take a look at these tips to help you get started today.
Understand Needs
All kids have different needs when it comes to sleep. Toddlers may sleep as many as 14 hours per day. Preschoolers may transition to about 12 hours per day. And older kids may get about 10 hours per day. The problem? Many kids are going with less than 8 hours! When this happens night after night, their bodies are getting extremely sleep deprived. So before you do anything else, figure out how many hours of sleep is ideal for your child, and make a plan from there.
Set Earlier Bedtimes
For most kids, the most logical way to get more sleep is to go to bed earlier. Sure, it may seem as though you're going to sleep before the sun, but in the long run, this is going to pay off for your kids. Don't suddenly set their bedtime two hours earlier; you'll need to back it up slowly. Start with a simple 30 minutes or so earlier, and then readjust if it's needed.
Create Routines
Children thrive on routines. Their bodies and minds respond well to doing the same thing in the same order over and over again. But for some reason, many of us skip this process at bedtime. Why? If you want your kids to get more sleep, help them create a routine that works. This might consist of a bath, a book or two, and a lullaby. Or it might be watching their favorite show before bed. A routine will eventually help your child fall asleep faster, which means more sleep in the long run.
Sleep is a crucial part of a child's health and wellness. And it makes a huge difference in their ability to pay attention, learn valuable skills, and behave themselves in a positive way. Use these tips to help your children get more sleep so that they can grow and thrive in their lives from here on out.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Lake Worth, Fla.
