Cedar Shed

Spending Time Outdoors

Helps Kids Sleep Better,

Experts Say

Let the kids play outside: incorporating some outdoor time into a child’s

schedule may help them get a restful night’s sleep. In a guide released by the

National Wildlife Federation (NWF), they traced the connection between the

amount of time children spent playing outdoors and the amount of time they

spent on sleep.

NWF says that teens and young kids lose about 10 to 14 hours of sleep every

week. This yields adverse effects on a child’s growth and cognitive abilities.

Moreover, sleep deprivation may lead to depression or anxiety, and may even

be grounds for health problems like obesity along the way.

Outdoor Time for Better Sleep Time

According to the NWF guide, there are three ways a child can benefit from a

sound night’s sleep that results from ample outdoor time.

One, natural light regulates the body’s circadian rhythm or the internal

'biological clock'. This helps children feel more awake during the day, and

exhausted during the night. Two, exposing children to green, natural settings

may relax and calm them. This affects their cognitive abilities and may help

them perform better in school. Lastly, undirected outside exercise improves

the child’s motor skills and enhances creativity.

There are also studies that say outdoor play encourages a child’s social

development. Exposure to other kids, for instance, allows the child to learn

the dynamics of operating in groups, which in turn teaches them about conflict

resolution and sharing.

Shy Away from an ‘Indoor Childhood’

The guide released by NFW encouraged parents to veer away from providing

their children with an ‘indoor childhood'. They underscored the importance of

slimming down children’s consumption of electronic entertainment, and

stressed the importance of disengaging children from electronic devices at

least an hour before bedtime.

Sources:

https://cedarshed.com.au/categories-product/cubbies

http://www.nwf.org/News-and-Magazines/Media-Center/News-by-Topic/Get-

Outside/2011/09-06-11-Sleep-Report.aspx

http://www.ktvz.com/lifestyle/family/outdoor-play-time-can-enhance-

childrens-sleep/221664990

http://www.livestrong.com/article/141891-the-benefits-outdoor-play-children/

What about kids who are especially reluctant to leave home? Set up a mini-

playground or install a cubby house in the yard. This way, the kids still get to

enjoy some outdoor time, without leaving the confines of home.