Did you know sleep is just as important as diet and physical activity when it comes to supporting optimal health for your children? While a person sleeps, the immune system releases cytokines, proteins that help the body operate at peak performance (true for adults and kids alike)! Kids who get adequate sleep also experience fewer attention problems, learning difficulties, and behavior issues while promoting better health overall. So, what can you do to support healthy sleep habits in your family?*
Routine, Routine, Routine
It’s important to set up a bedtime pattern that can help your kids drift off to dreamland around the same time each night. For example, a routine with young children might include taking a bath, brushing teeth, and reading a story. Consistency is key with preschool and elementary aged kids—when they know what is expected of them, they are more cooperative which makes bedtime more peaceful for everyone. While it’s unlikely that teenagers still want to be tucked into bed each night, it’s just as crucial to their immune systems to get an adequate amount of shut eye for better overall health. Encourage them to put down tech devices at least an hour before bedtime to let their brains know it’s time to prep for sleep mode.
A Calming Environment is Key
Make sure the bedrooms in your home are clutter-free, quiet, and peaceful environments where relaxation feels natural. Electronics are a hard no in the bedroom as far as healthy rest is concerned, as screen time reduces both the quantity and quality of sleep. The blue light that screens emit are shown to interfere with the body’s natural circadian rhythm by tricking the body into waking up when it should be slowing down and preparing for sleep. It’s also important to keep temperatures cool yet comfortable for better sleep. Researchers have found the best temperature for falling and staying asleep is right around 65 degrees.
Sleep Better with Clinically Studied Ingredients* 
If you have a child who has difficulty winding down for bedtime, there is a unique extract of echinacea that is proven to be safe and effective for children four years old and above. While you might associate echinacea with immune health, this specific extract, called Echinacea angustifolia, is different. Clinical research has proven its amazing ability to reduce feelings of occasional stress and anxiety. While Echinacea angustifolia doesn’t actually induce sleep, it has a calming, relaxing effect on the brain that can help anyone from young children to the elderly relieve tension and fall asleep more easily.* Find this impressive botanical in AnxioCalm®.