10 Major Health Risks of Poor Sleep in Children

Adequate and good sleep is necessary for the physical and mental development of the child. When the child does not sleep at the right time and fully every day, it affects his health and behavior. Lack of sleep affects the mental development of children, which weakens their ability to learn and concentrate. Interest in studies starts to decrease, memory can weaken, and they can become irritable over small things.

Continuous lack of sleep can also cause problems like obesity, heart disease, and mental stress. If the child does not get adequate rest, his routine becomes unbalanced, which also negatively affects his social and emotional abilities. Therefore, it is important to give children regular and complete sleep so that they can become physically healthy and mentally strong.

In this article, we will learn about 5 major physical and mental problems caused by lack of sleep in children.

Physical problems caused by lack of sleep in children-

1. Weakening of immunity- Less sleep weakens the immune system in the body, due to which children can fall ill quickly.

2. Hormonal imbalance- Lack of adequate sleep affects the production of growth hormones, which can slow down physical development.

3. Weight gain or obesity- Lack of sleep can disturb the metabolism, which increases the risk of weight gain and obesity in the child.

4. Decrease in energy level- Children who sleep less remain lethargic throughout the day, due to which they are not active in playing.

5. Heart-related problems- Continuously getting less sleep can increase the risk of blood pressure and heart diseases in children.

Mental problems caused by lack of sleep in children-

1. Difficulty in concentrating- Due to lack of sleep, the child does not concentrate on studies and other activities.

2. Effect on learning and memory- Good sleep is necessary for mental development. The memory of children who sleep less can be weak.

3. Mood swings- Due to lack of sleep, the child can get angry quickly, become stubborn and emotionally unstable.

4. Negative effect on mental development- In deep sleep, the brain processes to learn and understand new things. Mental development can be hampered by not getting proper sleep.

5. Risk of depression and anxiety- Long-term poor sleep can cause mental problems like stress, anxiety, and depression in children.

How to give a child good sleep?

Make a habit of sleeping and waking up at a fixed time every day.
Avoid screen time (mobile, TV) before sleeping.
Give light food 1-2 hours before sleeping.
Make the sleeping environment calm and comfortable.
Regularly involve the child in light physical activity.

If the child is not getting enough sleep every day, and it is having a bad effect on his daily routine, then definitely consult a doctor. Proper sleep is necessary for the physical and mental development of a child.