In the whirlwind of parenting, we might not realize just how vital sleep is for our children. From physical well-being to mental health, sleep plays a critical role in your child’s daily functioning. Let’s take a look at why quality rest matters and how you can help improve your child’s sleep.
Physical Health Benefits
Quality sleep is not just about feeling refreshed in the morning; it deeply impacts a child’s physical health. Here’s how:
- Heals and repairs heart and blood vessels.
- Helps support a healthy balance of the hormones that make you feel hungry (ghrelin) or full (leptin). When you don’t get enough sleep, your level of ghrelin goes up and your level of leptin goes down. This makes you feel hungrier than when you’re well-rested.
- Affects how your body reacts to insulin. Insulin is the hormone that controls your blood glucose (sugar) level. Sleep deficiency results in a higher-than-normal blood sugar level, which may raise your child’s risk of diabetes.
- Supports healthy growth and development. Deep sleep triggers the body to release the hormone that promotes normal growth in children and teens. This hormone also boosts muscle mass and helps repair cells and tissues in children, teens, and adults. Sleep also plays a role in puberty and fertility.
- Affects your body’s ability to fight germs and sickness. Ongoing sleep deficiency can change the way your body’s natural defense against germs and sickness responds. For example, if you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble fighting common infections.
- Decreases your risk of health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity, and stroke.
Mental Health Benefits
Sleep isn’t just rest for the body; it’s helpful for the mind. Consider these mental health benefits:
- Sleep helps your brain work properly. While you’re sleeping, your brain is getting ready for the next day. It’s forming new pathways to help you learn and remember information.
- Studies show that a good night’s sleep improves learning and problem-solving skills. Sleep also helps you pay attention, make decisions, and be creative.
- Studies also show that sleep deficiency changes activity in some parts of the brain. If you’re sleep deficient, you may have trouble making decisions, solving problems, controlling your emotions or behavior, and coping with change. Sleep deficiency has also been linked to depression, suicide, and risk-taking behavior.
- Children and teens who are sleep deficient may have problems getting along with others. They may feel angry and impulsive, have mood swings, feel sad or depressed, or lack motivation.
Understanding Sleep Needs
Knowing how much sleep we and our children need is crucial for prioritizing rest. Here’s a general guide:
Adults: Most adults require 7-9 hours of sleep per night for optimal functioning.
Teens: Adolescents typically need 8-10 hours of sleep, yet many fall short of this recommendation.
Older Adults: Individuals aged 65 and older should aim for 7-8 hours of sleep nightly.
Improving Sleep Habits
One of the most common causes of sleep problems is poor sleep hygiene. By adopting healthy sleep habits and creating a conducive bedroom environment, you can enhance the quality of your child’s sleep.
As parents, we prioritize the well-being of our children above all else. Let’s remember that quality sleep is not a luxury but a necessity for both us and our children. By prioritizing rest and adopting healthy sleep habits, you can ensure that your family thrives, both physically and mentally.
Who is Mentallus?
Mentallus is a leader in creating pathways for parents with children struggling with behavioral or mental health issues. Our mission is simple yet profound: to empower parents with the tools and resources they need to confidently navigate their children’s mental health journeys. We want you to feel supported, heard, and equipped to face whatever comes your way.
Have questions or are looking for more tips? Let’s chat! We offer FREE consultations that you can schedule below.