SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
the effects are ultimately hurting their ability to fully function
during the day.
The National Sleep Foundation recommends that children
between the ages of 6 and 10 get 10-11 hours of sleep per night,
while 11 to 17-year-olds should get 8.5 to 9.5 hours. A poll done
by the foundation last year revealed that children were falling
short and losing out on the benefits of a good night’s sleep.
Research shows that less sleep leads to learning and behavior
problems, directly affecting cognitive ability, concentration, and
problem-solving skills. Many families have seen the negative
effects and often assume they are symptoms of ADHD, when
these distracting behaviors could likely be reduced or even
eliminated by an earlier bedtime.
Make Sleep Matter
• Set bedtimes and wake times. You can start to make sleep
a higher priority for your kids by setting a good example and
getting enough sleep yourself. Start by setting bedtimes and
wake-up times that you can adhere to on both weekdays and
weekends. Creating a pattern will help your body understand
its sleep cycle, allowing for more restful nights.
• Create wind-down activities before bed. The half-hour
before bed should be free of high-energy activities. Start a
bedtime routine that includes calming activities like bathtime
or reading.
• Make a bed sanctuary. As adults, nothing is better than
a comfortable place to sleep at night. Make your children’s
beds the same for them. Add extra pillows for comfort and a
favorite stuffed animal to keep them company at night. Keep
lights down to a dim lamp or nightlight to make the room dark
enough for sleeping.
• Keep electronics out or off. Electronics produce a blue
light that sends a signal to your brain to stop the release of
melatonin, making it harder to fall asleep. On top of wanting
to text with friends or check social media, children and
teens will give any excuse to stay awake. Electronic devices
are best left in the dark at bedtime.
BAD HAIR DAYS?
If you seem to be having a stint of bad hair days, maybe your
body is trying to tell you something. Poor hair condition could
be a sign of physical or psychological issues.
Keeping an Eye on Your Hair
• Increase water intake. Dehydration becomes evident
in many forms, but one lesser known form is brittle hair.
Increasing water consumption has many benefits, including
improving the look and feel of your hair.
• Hair loss may be a sign of bigger issues. It is normal to
lose 80-100 hairs per day. Feel like you are losing more than
that? Stress and anxiety could be the cause. If you can’t
identify specific stressors, talk to your doctor. Excessive hair
loss could be a sign of other health problems.
• Eat well for luscious locks. Think your diet has nothing
to do with the way your hair looks? Think again. Hair
quality can change over time with continual consumption
of processed foods. Keep a healthy diet full of nutrient-rich
foods including healthy fats, dark leafy greens, and fish and
you’ll be on your way to radiant hair.
Continued on page 23 >
MOON TOWNSHIP
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WINTER 2019
21