Old people often say that “children who get enough sleep grow taller” and “children who sleep are growing”, which are completely correct scientific facts. The most important hormone for children to grow taller is growth hormone, and the amount of growth hormone secreted during sleep is three times higher than during the day.
3 key points about growth hormone Key point 1: The imbalance of growth hormone secretion throughout the day. The secretion of human growth hormone is unbalanced within 24 hours a day, and its secretion is higher during sleep than during waking hours. 80% of growth hormone is secreted during sleep, especially for children in the rapid growth period, which is the peak of growth hormone secretion, and more growth hormone is secreted at night.
That’s why there is the saying that “people grow in their sleep”.
Key point 2: The imbalance of growth hormone secretion at night. Growth hormone is secreted more in the first half of the night, which is the “golden period of sleep”, while it is secreted less in the second half of the night.
Key point 3: Growth hormone secretion is affected by sleep quality. Growth hormone is secreted most during deep sleep at the beginning of sleep, and the concentration of growth hormone in the blood reaches its peak. If sleep is disturbed and the quality of sleep is not high, the secretion of growth hormone will be reduced and the growth of height may be affected.
Pay attention to the quality of sleep Although the child sleeps for a short period of time, but there are sleep disturbance, easily startled, easily irritated, emotional instability, no spirit, it means that the child’s sleep quality is not high, not well into the deep sleep state. Parents should promptly find the cause and help their children to solve the problem.
It is important to go to bed early and get up early. Some parents think that it is okay for their children to sleep late and get up later the next day to ensure that they get enough sleep. In fact, this concept is also wrong because growth hormone is mainly secreted in the first half of the night, i.e. after 10:00 pm. If children go to bed at 11:00 pm or 12:00 pm, they miss the time when growth hormone secretion is at its peak.
Pay attention to the individual differences of children. If some children sleep less than the standard time, but their mental, emotional and growth development are normal, parents do not have to be too dogmatic and force their children, which will affect their mood and sleep quality.
Ways to improve the quality of sleep 1, create a good sleep environment. When the child falls asleep, the lights should be dimmed, do not leave too many people in the room, so that the child can easily fall asleep in a quiet environment.
2. Do not let your child be too full or hungry before going to bed. If you are too full or too hungry, you will not be able to sleep soundly.
3, do not let the child too excited before bedtime. You should adjust your child’s emotions before going to bed and not let them get too excited, otherwise it will prolong your child’s sleep time and make it easier to dream after going to sleep.