The Vagus Nerve
The Vagus Nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and serves as a communication pathway between the gut and the brain. Improving vagal tone has been associated with improvement mental health.
The Vagus Nerve is the longest cranial nerve in the body and serves as a communication pathway between the gut and the brain. Improving vagal tone has been associated with improvement mental health.
Sleep is one of the most pivotal needs to support a child’s mental health and overall well-being. Sleep plays a crucial role in everything from a child’s development and mental health.
Sleep is an integral part of children’s health. Amazing things happen while they sleep, including bursts in physical growth and solidification of learning. Studies show that a good night’s sleep helps buoy moods, improve cognitive performance, and build the body’s resilience against illness and accidents. Problems with sleep are parts of major mental illnesses, including mood disorders. Some scientists suggest that depression is linked to prolonged REM sleep. There is also a growing body of evidence suggesting that ADHD may stem from “a sleepy brain.” Specialists have said that as many as 40% of children who meet the diagnostic criteria for ADHD also meet criteria for a sleep disorder.
An article from the Wall Street Journal reviews findings that link sleep problems with depression, anxiety, substance abuse, aggression, learning problems, and obesity.
Good sleep hygiene is a must. It is also the first place to start when you notice patterns of childhood misbehavior or under-performance. Sleep hygiene includes: