Sleep is something we all love, can’t seem to get enough of, and it’s a vital part of our health. But it seems to be the first thing to go with a busy schedule. The amount of sleep each person requires can vary, especially between children and adults. What many people may not realize are the subtle impacts it can have on our mood, focus, and how we approach each day. I always envied people who could take a little cat nap and feel refreshed after 20 minutes, or those who hit the pillow and are asleep within minutes. So are these things important or is it the time of day or night that we catch our zzz’s?
Our bodies have a biological clock which includes times of the night for sleep. If we deprive our bodies of the much needed hours of sleep, or if we disrupt those hours of sleep, our circadian rhythm can get out of balance producing stress reactions in our body. So what do these stress responses do? Leave us feeling anxious, irritable, with less ability to focus, and it can even lead to depression and weight gain. The important thing to realize, children are affected by this just as much as adults. Though children often want to stay up late with their parents, according to the National Sleep Foundation, they need anywhere from 10 – 18 hours of sleep a day, depending on their age (these ranges are from birth – 10 yrs). If they don’t get enough, you may see signs like temper tantrums, irritability, or inability to focus at school.
So the next time you are tempted to give in to your child and let them stay up with you, or you are tempted to burn the midnight oil to get a project done, think twice about the effects on focus, mood, and productivity the following day. Leave the computers in another room, the TV off, lights out and enjoy that much needed sleep.
