A Great Natural Sleep Aid for Kids is Daylight
While some parents turn to melatonin gummies, not every sleep aid for kids needs to be eaten. Many children go to sleep and stay asleep because of a consistent nighttime routine. They usually engage in relaxing activities, such as reading or taking a bath, before drifting off to sleep with their ambient sound machine. While these activities help many children go to sleep, they may not stay asleep. Others don’t fall asleep until hours after they are put to bed.
Besides chamomile tea, this can leave parents with very few options. One of the most overlooked natural sleep aids for kids is daylight. A lack of exposure to natural light has been shown to have negative effects on children and adults. When humans don’t get exposed to enough daylight, their circadian rhythm can be disrupted. This can lead to poor sleep and result in various negative outcomes, including impaired cognitive function, increased stress, depression, poor social interaction, metabolic and cardiovascular diseases, and a higher risk of infections and cancer.
How Children Use Daylight to Sleep
An appropriate light signal during the day and at night is critical in maintaining key aspects of our overall health. A child’s circadian rhythm is a 24-hour cycle that relies heavily on daylight. Daylight is processed by humans primarily through the eyes. It is absorbed by cones on the back of the optic nerve, which signal the production of serotonin, and this continues through the day. Maintaining moderately high serotonin levels results in a more positive mood and a calm yet focused mental outlook.
As the sun sets, children begin converting serotonin into melatonin. After the sun sets, the body enters a relaxed state, which lowers metabolism, increases the production of growth hormones, and rinses the brain of toxins. When exposed to adequate amounts of daylight, the body produces melatonin sooner, which helps children to fall asleep more easily and stay asleep.
Exposure to Daylight Can Increase Sleep Time by 36 Minutes
Electric light, such as fluorescent lighting, is dim and ill-timed, often disrupting all aspects of the circadian rhythm. The intensity and spectrum are not adequate during the day to properly regulate the circadian rhythm. Studies show that children prefer access to daylight over electric light. In one study, 350 primary school children were studied in 11 schools. Researchers focused on factors associated with fenestration and daylight. A significant proportion of children choose to sit or work near windows, the chief factor being the amount of daylight.
Another study focused specifically on the relationship between children’s sleep and daylight exposure. In the study, conducted at the University of Illinois, 80 children wore light sensor-equipped ACTi watches for a week. The amount of light in the classroom was measured simultaneously. Researchers concluded that studying in daylit classroom spaces would lead to higher sleep time and quality compared to those who receive little or no daylight. Some children slept an extra 36 minutes at night. This is just one example of many of how daylight is used as a natural sleep aid for kids.
VELUX Can Help Get More Daylight Into Homes
VELUX Skylights can bring 2 to 3 times the amount of daylight into a room than vertical windows alone. Venting skylights can boost health outcomes further by removing airborne toxins in a home. For homeowners who would like to know more about VELUX skylights, Design and Product Advisors are available. They are happy to discuss skylight options during a thirty-minute online session.
Skylight installation videos are available for builders, roofers, and contractors on our Pro website and YouTube. We also provide in-person classroom training at our Pro Partner Academies. On-the-job training and demonstrations are available in select areas.
Skylights are Much More than a Natural Sleep Aid for Kids
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