Sleep disturbances are associated with more parental stress

Editor’s Note: Pediatric and adolescent psychiatrist Neha Chaudhary, Ph.D., is chief medical officer of BeMe Health and a faculty member at Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School.

CNN
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When I found out I was pregnant with my son a few years ago, the process of labor wasn’t what I feared most. rest.

As a doctor, I spent 10 years of my life staying up all night, doing 30+ hour on-call shifts, sleep deprived by the annoying beeping of my pager. I knew how my brain worked on the other side of sleep. We were stressed, nervous, and slow to process information. We slowed down our reflexes, craving unhealthy food whenever possible, and everything felt like a mountain.

Still, nothing prepared me for the unique sleep deprivation of parenthood. It meant there were no periods. I didn’t sleep well until my kids slept well.

And, like all parents and caregivers, I wondered if I was the only one feeling so sick after a lack of sleep.

As it turns out, it wasn’t. A new study shows that disturbed sleep in parents and disturbed sleep in children are each correlated with increased parental stress. In fact, it didn’t matter whether the parent had a sleep disorder or the child had a sleep disorder.

real kicker? Stressed parents don’t sleep well. So do stressed children. So the more sleep deprived your family is, the more stressed everyone will be. Sometimes all stress can even lead to anxiety and depression. (It is known to affect sleep.)

For sleep-deprived parents and caregivers, these results should not come as a surprise. I strongly believe that

If you and your family are stuck in the “sleep deprivation” trap, the first thing you can do is invest in sleep as a family. may reach.

Make sure you focus on good sleep hygiene, including regular bedtimes and a comfortable bedtime with an appropriate sleep environment (think cool, dark, not right after eating). Even very young children are strongly encouraged to model these behaviors. They will thank you later.

Remember, it doesn’t just start and end with sleep – stress is also involved. So focus on lowering stress levels for everyone in your home. You can try mindfulness meditation, sensory experiences like aromatherapy, candles, soothing music, soaking in a bathtub, or your own version to calm you down.

Practice skills to deal with stressful moments, such as taking deep breaths, calling a friend, or distracting yourself with mindful, everyday activities (even boring ones like folding laundry). .

There are plenty of apps you can download to help both you and your child get through stressful moments and learn healthy sleep habits. If the problem persists, whether it’s sleep problems or stress, seek professional help. Many sleep disorders, like sleep apnea, can go undiagnosed for years. and affect the quality of life of both parents and children. So do symptoms such as anxiety and depression.

Make an appointment with your family doctor, children’s pediatrician, therapist, or psychiatrist if you’re stuck in the “sleepless” trap and it’s taking a toll on your family’s health. You may sleep well tonight.