Active Kids Sleep Better
Bedtime - it's every parent's favorite time of day. But, when your tiny tot refuses to fall asleep, bedtime can become a nightmare for everyone.
Kids need their sleep, and parents need some downtime every day too. So, here's the solution: exercise -- no, not for you (though that's a good idea, too), but for your child.
A New Zealand study found that school-aged kids who are physically active during the day fall asleep faster than their sedentary peers. The study, which was published online in the Archives of Disease in Childhood followed 519 children with a mean age of 7.3 years.
They discovered that for every hour a child was sedentary, it increased their sleep latency -- or falling asleep time -- by 3.1 minutes.
Parents reading this are probably not surprised. How many times have you let your kids stay those extra 15 minutes at the pool or playground to "wear them out?"
In fact, New York University Sleep Disorders Center director Dr. David Rapoport, told Forbes sedentary children may just need less sleep:
I see this as something which we were designed by nature to do. The purpose of sleep is to recover from activity, and what this is showing is that that link is quite tight in the child. If the child exercises, they need more sleep and they get it more easily.
A 2008 study found however, that TV can disrupt a child's ability to fall asleep. Since today's sedentary kids spend much of their spare time playing video games, using the computer, or watching TV, they're especially at risk of not getting enough sleep -- even if they need less than active kids.
As an adult, I know I sleep far better when I'm exercising daily and so do my children.
Have you observed this effect in your own kids?
5 Comments
Add Your Comment
ADVERTISING
New
- FROM DIET BLOG
- On-Off Fasting: Does It Work?
- 400 Calorie Fix
- 5 Factor World Diet
- Quick Giveaway: Powerhouse Weight Loss Game
- FORUM
- Low Carb Atkins Diet- Tips to Cut the Carbs.
- How Can I Gain a Healthy Weight and Keep it?
- How Do I Eat Healthy at University?
- Starving Myself and Exercising, But Not Losing an Ounce?
Categories
| Body Image Celebrities Diet Pills Diets Exercise |
Fast Food Funny Stuff Success Stories Teens and Kids Tips and Tools |
RSS Feed
Follow @DietBlog on Twitter
Walking is one of the best stress relieving exercises that anyone can do, regardless of fitness level. Treadmill walking is one of the easiest ways for you to get in shape and burn fat.
ReplyI absolutely have observed this in my kids. My kids are very high energy kids, and they run around A LOT. They are on the go from the moment they wake up to the moment they go to sleep. If they play harder more than usual, they fall asleep a lot quicker, at least for my older one. The younger one fights it no matter what, but once he's calmed down, he's off to la-la land quickly. On days they aren't as active (like on a rainy day), they take longer to go to sleep and their behavior is more difficult too. With regard to video games, in general I find their behavior more difficult after they've played a while. We've now put time limits on tv and video games as a result.
ReplyMy nephew is a great sleeper. He sleeps a LOT and he sleeps through the night easily. He may only be 18 months old, but he is one of the most active kids I've ever seen. My sis and brother-in-law let him play as hard he wants to and make sure he has an early bedtime so that he gets plenty of sleep. I know that for me personally, I sleep very well when I've exercised that day, so it makes sense that kids would be the same way.
ReplyI agree! The busier and more active the day, the earlier and quickier my children fall asleep.
I find that swimming is the most tiring activity for them. Swimming guarantees an early night for them, which is always nice for me. :)
ReplyI think that the mission of all parents is getting their children to sleep through the night. I agree there is only one way to get a child to sleep well and that is by giving them a thorough day of activities.
ReplyChildren always want to be stimulated and be on the go, going for walks, riding their bikes and heading to the park for a fun afternoon of play, either by themselves or with friends. We have to think how we
feel after a great exercise routine. We are energized, yet tired at the same time. This leads to a great night's sleep and it adds a jump to our
step the next day. Children are no different and mixing that with a well balanced diet makes a fantastic and positive start to their
little lives.