According to a study, it was seen that children aged 5 to 8 need the most sleep which is about 10-11 hours of sleep every day. The studies have shown how lack of sleep can increase the probability of anxiety, depression, and deteriorating grades in children. The key to ensuring that a kid gets proper sleep is to fix a proper bedtime for them. Electronic devices should be taken away from them at least an hour prior to their bedtime since the artificial light tricks the brain into thinking that it needs to stay awake. An ideal environment must be created for the child to enjoy a relaxing nap. Proper nutrients must be provided to them and caffeine should be avoided at all costs. Exercising is also a good way to drain them out and ensure quicker and proper sleep at night.
Dr. Ken Haller of Saint Louis University discussed the importance of sleeping especially for children. He is a paediatrician at SSM Health Cardinal Glennon Children's Hospital and notices that even a 10 to 20 minute power nap can also be very beneficial. It has the power to make you feel more refreshed than completing a whole sleep cycle. Haller suggests that all children should get sleep after returning from school if they are getting accustomed to a new school schedule. He says, “At most, let them have an extra hour of sleep,” he said. “We don’t want them to slip into kind of a jet leg place where they’re getting up really late and then Monday and Tuesday are really tough for them.” The parents need to communicate with the children and take away any sort of electronic gadgets to prevent them from getting disturbed sleep stimulated by hectic images that may pop up.
Subarna Basu
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