SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION:
HEALTH & WELLNESS
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 next page >
NORWIN ❘ WINTER 2019
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