Kids who play outside sleep better - Tropic Home and Family

Let your kids have free-play time outside -- it helps them sleep better

Back when my five-year-old was a newborn, one of his first outings was an outdoor concert. A friend told me the fresh air would help him sleep better that night ? she said being outside always helped her daughter sleep.

I can?t remember that night now so I can?t say if my little baby slept well. But I do know that today, when my boys play outside, they definitely feel better, seem more eager willing to go to bed and wake up ready to do it all over again.

So it?s no surprise to me and other parents who try to give their kids a Green Hour of unstructured play time in a natural setting that research backs it up: Kids who get time outside do sleep better at night.

The National Wildlife Federation?s Be Out There program has a new report, Green Time for Sleep Time. It says outdoor time improves a child?s sleep in three ways:

1. Sleep-inducing natural light.

2. Time spent in nature is soothing.

3. Outdoor exercise is better than indoor exercise.

This is huge! Kids are already not getting enough sleep, thanks to having too many after-school activities, electronic distractions (like TV, video games, phones, etc.) or just plain ol? bad sleep habits.

How much sleep do kids need? The NWF has this chart.

Kids are losing anywhere from 10-14 hours of sleep a week! That?s a whole night. According to the NWF report,?sleep deprivation can:

• stunt physical growth
• impede performance at school
• lead to anxiety or depression
• contribute to future health problems like obesity.

Signs of sleep deprivation in kids include:

• Kids are harder to awaken in the morning
• They have greater difficulty concentrating on tasks
• They accidentally nap without thinking about it
• They have slow reaction times
• They can be unusually hyper
• They can be defiant
• They can be more emotional

I admit: My preschooler has some of these symptoms!

The NWF?s solution for kids? sleep deprivation is to trade screen time for green time. Work an hour (or as much time as you can) of free play time outside each day. Spend more time outdoors on weekends. Advocate for morning recess at school or daycare. Take at least one nature-based trip each year (like a weekend spent camping). Engage kids in nature activities like filling a backyard bird feeder or planting seeds for flowers or a garden.

I also think regular bed times and good bedtime routines work to help set the stage for sleep.

What do you think? Do you notice your kids sleep better after playing outside during the day?

Source: http://tropichomeandfamily.com/2011/09/kids-who-play-outside-sleep-better.html

media media blade runner continental continental bbq car dealerships