Back-to-school season means new schedules, earlier mornings, homework, sports, and plenty of activity for growing kids. One of the most important, and sometimes overlooked parts, of helping children thrive at school is quality sleep.
If your child is having trouble settling down at night, waking frequently, tossing and turning, or simply seems tired in the morning, it may be worth looking at the bigger picture, including how well their nervous system is adapting to the demands of everyday life.
Why Is Sleep So Important for Kids?
Sleep plays an important role in a child’s growth, learning, memory, mood, and ability to handle daily stress. When school starts, children often have to quickly transition from a relaxed summer schedule to a much more structured routine.
A consistent bedtime, regular physical activity, limited screen time before bed, and a comfortable sleep environment are all important pieces of healthy sleep habits.
But what about the nervous system?
What Does Chiropractic Have to Do With Children’s Sleep?
The spine and nervous system are directly connected. Children experience physical and neurological stress every day, from birth and falls to sports, backpacks, screen time, long periods of sitting, and the many physical changes that happen as they grow.
Chiropractic care focuses on the relationship between the spine and nervous system. Supporting healthy spinal function is one key piece to helping our bodies better adapt to the physical and neurological demands of growing up.
Remember, health is multifaceted. Chiropractic is not a substitute for good sleep habits, getting enough healthy movement, or a replacement for good nutrition. Instead, it can be part of a bigger approach to helping your child maintain a healthy, functioning nervous system.
Back-to-School Is a Great Time for a Wellness Check
As families in Lafayette, Erie, Louisville, Broomfield, and surrounding Boulder County communities get back into their school routines, consider taking a look at your child’s overall wellness:
- Have they ever has their spine and nervous system evaluated by a pediatric chiropractor?
- Are they getting enough sleep for their age?
- Are they waking rested and ready for the day?
- Are they struggling to settle down at bedtime?
- Are they spending long hours sitting at school or looking down at screens?
- Are they carrying a heavy backpack?
- Are they involved in sports or other activities that place additional demands on their growing bodies?
Healthy children don’t just need to “feel good”. They need a nervous system that can adapt to the constant changes and challenges of childhood.
At Complete Care Chiropractic in Lafayette, Colorado, we love caring for growing families and helping parents understand how chiropractic and healthy lifestyle habits can work together to support their child’s overall wellness.
This school year, don’t just prepare your child’s backpack. Prepare their body for everything the year has in store.
