By Harsh Dave
Children today are exposed to more of the world than any other generation. Being so close to technology means that they can tap into their own insecurities at the drop of a hat. This immediate access to the world may heighten their propensity for mental illness. According to Matthew Walker in his book Why We Sleep many major psychiatric disorders like depression and ADHD are considered disorders of abnormal development, and the past few years of innovation has redefined what normal is supposed to mean. But there are no simple answers.
To take away technology from them is like taking away an extension of their person. Their generation has entered completely new territory. To limit their access to new technologies would jeopardize their ability to interact with the future. We should empower them in the best way that we can, and sometimes the very best solutions are the simplest. One of the best tools we can give them to take on their own life’s is the power of good night’s rest.
A good night’s sleep is already hard to come by, and with so many screens proliferating in our lives, it is getting much harder. The two key aspects to healthy sleep are regularity, and proper duration. It’s even more important for younger children because proper rest is essential for a developing mind. The very first thing to know about keeping a regular sleep schedule is the Circadian rhythm.
The Circadian rhythm is your bodies internal clock. It decides when you’ll be sleepy, and you can bet on that feeling coming around the same time every night. It’s important for everyone to keep the rhythm of their sleep. A child’s life is constantly changing and having proper rest will help prepare them to take on the challenge of these changes with grace!
With all the distractions in our world, we need to be able turn off, reflect on our life’s, and encourage our minds and emotions to rest and grow. Just as we exercise our bodies, we exercise our minds, and they both need time and preparation to rebuild. Meditation is the best way to rest your mind, and the best way to prepare for great night’s sleep, for you and your kids!
Try this simple exercise next time before bed. Just sit with your child on your bed, and ask them to think about nothing, and do it with them. Both of you will understand how hard it is, and the practice it takes! An essential aspect of all meditative practices is to clear your mind, and by clearing your mind, centering yourself. Doing so before bed substantially encourages a regular sleep pattern, and by achieving the simple goal of thinking about nothing you will let your mind heal itself.
Walker, Matthew P. Why We Sleep: Unlocking the Power of Sleep and Dreams. Scribner, an Imprint of Simon & Schuster, Inc., 2018.
Nagendra, Ravindra P., et al. “Meditation and Its Regulatory Role on Sleep.” Frontiers in Neurology, vol. 3, 2012, doi:10.3389/fneur.2012.00054.
