Energy

It is that time of year again! The autumn season is in full swing, and winter is slowly approaching. Along with seasonal changes come possible energy changes. What does this mean, you might ask?

For children, it might seem like their energy has increased while yours (the adult parent or stander-by) is quickly losing energy! Children do not gain energy, but rather, it becomes pent up after being in school during the day and then coming home from playing with friends earlier due to the earlier darkness….or they play in the house with their friends trying the play as though they are outside when it is sunny. A parent might feel ready to scream! Or, taking the child out to run errands might seem like more of a chore due to the decreased sunlight and confusion of the amount of time to run the errand(s). So, adults might exhibit less patience as their desperation to get home before dark wears thin.

As an adult, the change in the decreased daylight causes earlier tiredness, or easier irritability as anxiety increases. This anxiety might give a burst of energy for a brief time, but it quickly fades away into tiredness and irritability. It may seem like a viscous cycle. No need to worry. You can still keep your regular sleep schedule, or even adjust your sleep schedule to the schedule that better suits you and your family. Let’s be real. There are many experts who encourage a same sleep schedule for kids no matter what the season or school/ summer schedule looks like. This is a great thought! In reality, parents need not feel guilty if they allow their children to waver from their schooltime sleep schedule during summer breaks or holiday breaks. But, in reality, when school is happening, an as close to regular sleep schedule (within 15-20 minutes of the ideal time) is best. Keeping in mind that school season opens children to activities after school. So, their sleep schedule may be different than desired. Which brings us back to the parent’s sleep schedule potentially being less than desired.

As an adult, parent or not, keeping to an estimated schedule will help you the next day, work or weekend. Definitely on work/school days preparing the night before is indeed helpful. This will help you the next day to be more alert, patient, and productive! How do you prepare? Be sure your kids keep to the routine some what, and you do the same. Plan lunches the night before, and even your clothes (kids clothes too!) if these will allow you to get more sleep. Hold the family animals to a routine too! Feed them at roughly the same time each day, and let them out when you wake and before bed, so they can relieve themselves and remain calm(er). And, research (https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/meditation/in-depth/meditation/art-20045858) continues to show that starting the day with a few minutes of calmness (after you silence that annoying alarm clock!) will help you prepare for the day ahead. And those adult parents of very young children, it may seem as though there is never a moment to have some calmness, but indeed there is even three to five minutes. It may include your little one’s as you teach them your calming method, breathing slowly is my tried and true. But, even reading a short inspirational quote, a psalm, or listening to a peaceful or inspirational song in the background can go a long way. These will help center you. And, if you are centered, then it helps center your family, co-workers, and/or friends.