TO YOUR HEALTH
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4
Methodist Dallas Medical Center
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❁
Fall 2014
Your time counts with
QuickER.org
Finding your
sleep
rhythm
BACK TO SCHOOL
After a summer of evening bike rides, late-night pool parties, and lazy
mornings, it’s no easy feat for families to transition from summer
break back into the school year.
After all, elementary-aged kids need at least nine hours of
sleep a night, and for adolescents, it means blocking off at least
eight hours.
So how do you make sure your children beat the tardy
bell without sacrificing much-needed rest? Try these tips:
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Pick a sleep schedule, and then stick to it. That means
going to bed and waking up at the same times every
day, even on weekends.
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Eliminate caffeine after 2 p.m.
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Avoid bright lights coming from computers and
televisions at least 30 minutes before sleep.
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Create a dark, quiet environment with a cool
temperature for sleep.
Additionally, kids might have academic or
social worries that are affecting their rest.
Openly discussing these concerns with
your kids can help reduce their stress and
ultimately lead to a better night’s sleep.
