We all know a good night’s sleep is important, and yet we often neglect this part of our lives. After all, life can seem to get in the way of sleep. There’s so much to do in a day, and so little time to unwind. When we do get those precious scraps of free time, we often wind up staying up too late to cling to them. As a result, we go through life slightly sleep-deprived.
Even if you think you function fine on a minimal sleep schedule, odds are more sleep — and higher quality sleep — would improve your day-to-day experience. Here’s why sleep matters so much for every member of your family, and how you can get more of it.
Children
Little ones have a ton of growing and learning to do, and sleep makes that possible.
● Start by figuring out how much sleep your child needs based on their age. Texas Children’s Hospital offers a handy breakdown based on age.
● Build a consistent bedtime routine to help your child transition into sleep mode.
● Worried your little one isn’t sleeping? The experts at Our Parenting Life offer up some important questions to consider.
Teens
Teens are going through massive physical and life changes during their formative years, and they can’t manage these issues while running on empty.
● Many teens use energy drinks for a boost while studying or hanging out — monitor their caffeine consumption and say something if they’re going overboard.
● Help them reduce stress to get more restful sleep. For example, you can paint the walls in a stress-free color or take steps to adjust the lighting in the bedroom.
● Establish a “no phones in bed” rule to encourage good sleep hygiene. Smartphones have been shown to disrupt sleep in both children and adults!
● If your teen is having trouble sleeping, consider a weighted blanket from Moxie Blankets. Weighted blankets can help with everything from stress to insomnia.
Adults
As you get older, you have to take better care of yourself to stay happy and healthy:
● Poor sleep can cause serious physical and mental health problems.
● Trouble calming down before bed? Try some pre-bed yoga. If you’re unsure of how to start, there are apps that can help beginners find their footing.
● Follow good sleep hygiene tips to ensure restful sleep. For example, choose a good bedtime/waking schedule and stick to it.
● If you can’t get a good night’s sleep no matter what you do, consider getting checked out for any sleep disorders. Sleep disorders range from insomnia to apnea, as well as problems such as restless leg syndrome.
● Misaligned teeth can compound issues with TMJ or teeth grinding, which can disrupt sleep. Look into an affordable, efficient at-home teeth aligner. Byte, for example, can make an affordable and significant difference in as little as three months.
Don’t let sleep fall onto the backburner. Making quality rest a priority in your life will have a massive impact on your overall mood, energy, and health. Keep these resources on hand so you can help the whole family find some quality shut-eye.
