As every parent knows, every new bundle of joy usually means that a good night’s sleep is usually the first thing out the window. Don’t get me wrong; operating on a minimal amount of sleep is definitely worth it to see the smiles on their faces.
There are many ways to relax, some of you may prefer to practice yoga that can actually help your body’s detoxification process, or a relaxing weight loss bath could be the one thing that melts all your stress away.
I personally feel that nothing beats either a good night’s sleep or well-timed nap. Since the former is mostly not an option because of our young one’s sleeping schedules, I’ve found a lot of solace in actually napping when they’re napping.
So, let’s start on how making nap times a communal family activity can drastically improve your family’s overall health and wellbeing.
Let’s begin with how this affects the most important people in our lives: our children.
Recent studies show that children’s brains are surprisingly still active and processing information while they’re asleep. Researchers exposed sleeping infants to environmental stimulations and to their amazement, these infants’ reactions showed that they learned how to anticipate an incoming reaction.
Another study made in the University of Massachusetts showed that preschoolers who had regular naps performed with 15% more efficiency at memory exercises.
One Chinese study showed that kids who did not enjoy regular naps were actually more prone to accidents than kids who actually had a good night’s sleep paired with a nap. 91% of kids of who reported injuries requiring medical attention in a one-year span also reported that they had less than optimal sleeping hours. Now on to how this helps you feel better.
I know it sounds counterintuitive, but trust me. Studies show that napping can actually improve your work output even more than a shot of caffeine. You’ll soon find yourself with more time to enjoy your family.
The National Sleep Foundation calls naps “mini vacations” because they offer the chance to place a small distance between you and whatever is stressing you. This in turn gives you time to regroup to face any challenge. Ok, napping is amazing, but how can make sure your kids actually enjoy them?
- Make sure you create the perfect environment to encourage naps. You’ll need to make sure your children’s rooms have the same level of light and temperature all day. I also recommend making sure they’re not exposed to a screen for more than two hours a day. - Keep a strict sleeping schedule. Studies show that children who’ve been accustomed to sleeping at specific hours take far less time to fall asleep. - Remember how kids are still learning when they’re sleeping? Add another bedtime story to help them relax as their learning the way to dreamland. I hope you and your family will soon be able to reap the wonderful benefits from this relaxing activity.
http://www.parents.com/health/healthy-happy-kids/why-your-kid-needs-sleep/
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/03/11/nap-benefits-national-napping-day_n_2830952.html
http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-17735/why-you-should-take-a-nap-every-day.html
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