From Restless Nights to Sweet Dreams
It’s something every parent dreads: the restless nights when their little ones just can’t get to sleep. Whether it’s because they’re anxious about a spelling test, had too much soda at dinner or wound themselves up on the playground, kids—like adults—can have trouble sleeping for any number of reasons. But, unlike adults, kids can’t pop a sleeping pill or imbibe a nightcap to help themselves get some shut-eye. Instead, parents must rely on all-natural techniques.
Lights Out
The body produces a hormone called melatonin that plays an important role in regulating circadian rhythm. Production of melatonin ramps up as the sun goes down or an environment grows darker. Studies have shown that bright screens from computers, televisions, tablets and smartphones affect the body’s production of melatonin, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Switch off electronics at least an hour or two before bedtime to give the body plenty of time to produce the melatonin needed to make your little one feel sleepy.
Warm up and Cool Down
Seventy 5-Piece Twin Comforter Set
Just as a dimming of the lights helps produce a sleepy feeling, so does reducing body temperature. It might seem counterintuitive, but taking a warm bath and increasing body temperature actually helps with this process. As the body cools off from a bath, the brain recognizes the reduction in body temperature and causes that blissful sleepy feeling.
Create a Cozy Space for Sweet Dreams
All the tips and tricks in the world won’t do any good if your little one doesn’t have a comfy sleep space. Unfortunately, too many children are forced to sleep on the floor or share a bed with multiple family members. At Ashley Furniture HomeStore, we believe that every child deserves a clean, unused mattress to call their own. That’s exactly why we’ve created our A Hope to Dream Foundation. A portion of the proceeds from every mattress sold in HomeStores goes toward purchasing a bed for a child in need. If you know a child between the ages of three and 16 who needs a new mattress, please click here to fill out an application.
