Il sleep and the time dedicated to rest is fundamental for the well-being of our body. Often underestimated, good sleep is actually a fundamental key to our health. Especially in children, rest is important for psychophysical development, and promotes both the learning processes and the re-elaboration and fixation of memories. Sleeping irregularly, on the contrary, can cause serious damage, as it can affect the immune system and our brain.
According to the doctor Elisa Fazzi, director of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry Asst Civil Hospitals of Brescia and president of the Italian Society of Child Neuropsychiatry, it is not true that during rest everything stops, on the contrary. When we sleep, our memory is fixed, and hormones related to brain development work to allow us to reprocess emotions. Not only that. Cognitive development occurs, which is useful for learning. In short, sleeping promotes neurodevelopment.
But what is the neurosviluppo? As explained by Dr. Fazzi al Courierit is the “process of growth that begins from conception, lasts until late adolescence and leads to the development and formation of all the circuits of the central nervous system that serve adaptive functions”. This is a fundamental step, especially in childhood and adolescence. “Neurodevelopment is characterized by the plasticity of the central nervous system which, especially in the first thousand days (from conception to the first two years of life), is capable of modifying its structure and function based on experiences. plasticity it is one of the fundamental characteristics of the child’s brain, in reality it will also be present in adulthood, but in the first years of life it is a powerful process linked above all to the maturation of myelin which is a substance that, in the central nervous system, helps the maturation and favors the speed of conduction of the stimulus and is linked, above all, to the production of synapses, the connections that nerve cells have between each other”, explained the doctor. “Synapses are not predetermined at birth, they are formed mainly in the early years of life, and are the ways in which neurons connect to each other. These connections grow and increase based on experience but are then reduced and pruned, we speak of ‘synaptic pruning’ in the first years of life and then during adolescence, the two moments of life, in particular, in which the ‘individual,’ he added.
Sleep accompanies us throughout our lives, and changes with us. The doctor indicated two particularly important phenomena: the circadian rhythmwhich organizes rest/wake rhythms, and homeostatic pressure, which affects our desire to sleep. “The newborn it spends 14 to 18 hours sleeping and we know that the newborn’s sleep cycles alternate between three hours of wakefulness and three hours of sleep. His sleep is then divided into active sleep (eyes closed, spontaneous movements and irregular breathing) and quiet sleep (eyes closed, regular breathing, few movements). And then there are the states of wakefulness, that is, when the little one begins to open his eyes, which are divided into states of ‘quiet wakefulness’ and ‘active wakefulness’.”
As for the teenagersexplained the doctor, theirs is a shorter nocturnal cycle than that of children. “Teenagers tend to fall asleep later and recover at the weekend but it would be important for the sleep routine to be maintained as much as possible and this applies to all ages”, underlined Dr. Fazzi. “It must also be said that emotional self-regulation, important for relationship life, is very linked to sleep. Sleep helps emotional self-regulation and vice versa.” This is because the frontal lobe and the amygdala, where the central nervous system resides, participate inemotional self-regulation. Not only that. They influence the stabilization of memories, help memory and concentration. In the long run, sleeping little and badly has negative effects on the quality of our life. “When adolescents arrive for observation, sleep is the first indication we consider and, almost always, the sleep disorder is very significant. The sleep disorder, in fact, can be considered a common thread of emotional dysregulation disorders which perhaps change expression over time and manifest themselves in different forms in childhood and adolescence. For example, the link between sleep disorders in the first years of life and mood disorders in adulthood is recurrent”, clarified the doctor.
Those who sleep little during adolescence may experience difficulties in decision-making, attention disorders, anxiety, and even depression. The problems can then also affect adulthood. Moreover, proper rest promotes the regulation of behavior and emotions in the first years of life, which will have an impact on the adult of the future. “Ensuring good sleep in the first years of life allows you to have a better quality of life in later life. If we talk about sleep at school age, between 6 and 12 years old, it is considered the ‘gold standard’ of sleep quality, it is normally the period of life in which sleep is most efficient, there is a large amount of non-REM sleep, therefore deep sleep, which acts on different functions”, he explained Oliviero Brunidirector of Child Neuropsychiatry at the S. Andrea Hospital in Rome.
Important, at this point, monitor the baby’s sleep status.
This check should be done in those children who appear particularly nervous, irritable, or inattentive and hyperactive. Sleep disorders are often among the causes of these problems. There is also concern for teenagers who spend too many hours with their eyes focused on their cell phones, instead of spending time resting.
Why Sleep is Our Best Friend (and Sometimes our Worst Enemy)
Ah, sleep! That beautiful state of nothingness where dreams scroll through our minds like endless Netflix series, but let’s not kid ourselves—we’re in a dire need of it, aren’t we? Especially when it comes to our kids. According to Dr. Elisa Fazzi, director of Child and Adolescent Neuropsychiatry at ASST Civil Hospitals of Brescia, sleep isn’t just a break in your active schedule; it’s *the* pivotal keystone for both brain development and general well-being!
“When we sleep, our memory is fixed, and hormones related to brain development work to reprocess emotions.” – Dr. Elisa Fazzi
So, what’s this thing they’re calling neurodevelopment? It’s apparently the fancy word for the amazing software upgrade your brain undergoes from the moment you’re conceived until you’re… well, older and probably need a nap because of life choices. In simple terms, it’s the way your brain forms its neural connections based on experiences. And guess what? It’s more active than your aunt’s gossip at the family reunion!
Dr. Fazzi enlightens us that sleep is essential for this neurosviluppo, citing a remarkable deal of plasticity in the central nervous system, especially within the first two years of life. It’s like your child’s brain is trying out for “MasterChef” of neural connections, preparing itself to sauté memories and boil emotions to perfection! But mind you, these connections aren’t all made in one night—they develop and then get a little pruning, much like the unfortunate haircut you never quite recover from.
But How Much Sleep Are We Talking About? More Than Just A Quick Nap!
Newborns—those adorable little sleep machines—spend about 14 to 18 hours snoozing! That’s more dedication to rest than most of us can muster on a weekend. They have a sleep cycle that’s more complex than my love life: three hours of wakefulness followed by three hours of sleep with active and quiet phases leading the charge.
And oh, let’s not forget our troubled teenagers. They’re out there, wrestling with life, sleep schedules, and scrolling through TikTok at 2 a.m. Their nocturnal rhythms are shorter—falling asleep later and catching up on weekends—talk about a rollercoaster! Dr. Fazzi insists that maintaining a regular sleep routine applies to every age. But, let’s be honest, folks, if you catch an adult napping at 3 p.m. in the office, it’s not because they follow a routine, it’s just a productivity tactic, right?
Sleep, Emotions, and Future Adults
Here’s a shocker: poor sleep directly correlates with emotional dysregulation. Who would have thought, right? Sleep plays a vital role in shaping our emotional selves. If your teenager resembles a grumpy cat after a sleepless night, it’s not because they woke up on the wrong side of the bed; it’s their brain short-circuiting from lack of rest!
“When adolescents arrive for observation, sleep is the first indication we consider, and almost always, the sleep disorder is very significant.” – Dr. Fazzi
We’re talking cognitive chaos leading to decision-making problems, attention disorders, anxiety, and sometimes even full-blown moody teenager syndrome! A little sleep deficiency in our youth can lead to something far stickier as adults—nothing screams “I have my life together” like dragging yourself through a workweek like a zombie.
The Final Snooze Call
Proper rest in those early years could mean the difference between being a functioning adult or someone who thinks cereal counts as dinner! Dr. Oliviero Bruni emphasizes that ensuring a good sleep routine for children is paramount for achieving a better quality of life as they march into adulthood.
So let’s monitor our children’s sleep status—because a well-rested child could be the key to world peace (or at least a more peaceful household). And for the love of sleep, let’s get those teenagers to put down those devices and catch some z’s instead of scrolling through screens. After all, the world can wait—who would want to miss out on their amazing adventures happening in dreamland?
St sheer exhaustion!
The Consequences of Skimping on Sleep
Now, let’s address the elephant in the room: the effects of poor sleep. When sleep is neglected, especially in adolescents, the fallout can be severe. Think about it—sleep deprivation can lead to trouble in decision-making, attention spans that rival a goldfish, anxiety, and even depression. And you just know that those problems follow you into adulthood like a clingy ex.
As Dr. Fazzi smartly points out, sleep disorders during those formative years are often linked to emotional dysregulation and mood disorders later in life. It’s like a domino effect, where that missed z’s today can lead to a catastrophic emotional fallout down the line. The relationship between sleep and well-being is crystal clear: it’s not just about feeling drowsy; it’s about how effectively our brains function. We need to take this seriously, especially for our kids!
Sleep is a Lifelong Journey
Let’s zoom out for a moment. From newborns to teenagers, we all experience shifts in our sleep patterns, governed by rhythms and pressures that shape the way we recover and rejuvenate. Dr. Fazzi emphasizes the importance of these cycles, explaining that sleep is not just a state of inactivity but a crucial part of growth and learning.
To gauge your child’s sleep quality, take stock of their behavior. If they’re acting overly irritable, inattentive, or hyperactive, it might be time to check in on their sleep habits. And don’t get me started on teenagers glued to their screens! Encouraging downtime and healthy sleep routines is essential, especially when those late-night social scrolling sessions become habitual.
Final Thoughts: Sleep is More Than a Luxurious Indulgence
In short, sleep is simply non-negotiable. We owe it to our kids (and ourselves) to foster an environment where they can prioritize rest. Brain development, emotional regulation, and overall health all hinge on good sleep. Remember, the quality of sleep we encourage in our children today can determine the vibrancy of their tomorrows. So tuck them in snugly, maybe read a bedtime story, and watch as they slip into that beautiful state of nothingness—because they deserve it!
