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Bird's-Eye View of a child resting under a blue blanket next to a teddy bear. Title reads: Melatonin & Sleep. Subtitle reads: Natural Mental Health.

Reset Your Sleep Schedule with Melatonin Supplements

kids/parenting sleep Aug 07, 2018
By Tim Culbert, MD

 

August offers that last excitement of summer for kids. You can likely relate as the popular summer activities have persisted over the decades: sleeping in, daytime sprinkler-running, ice cream before dinner, and stay-up-too-late-sleepovers. 

September usually comes crashing in with strict school schedules and increased workloads for parents. The result? Tired, cranky kids.

And tired, cranky adults. 

Adjusting to new sleep schedules is tough. Adolescents typically require 8-10 hours of sleep to function optimally. Adults need about the same at 7-9 hours.

Reset Your Sleep Schedule with Melatonin Supplements

One strategy that parents and kids can use to reset sleep schedules is the use of a melatonin supplement. Melatonin is a neurohormone that helps regulate the sleep-wake rhythm. It can be taken orally to help re-establish that rhythm. It also appears to have antioxidant action and supports the immune system.

Melatonin Supplement Dosage

In general, doses for melatonin range between 1 and 5 mg and are taken 30-60 minutes prior to bedtime. Check with your doctor to determine what may be the right amount for you. They'll likely tell you to start with the smallest dose first (even breaking a tablet in half) to determine the right amount.

Keep Your Wake Up Time Consistent

With or without a melatonin supplement, be sure to stick to your desired wake up time. No endless snooze buttons! Waking up at the same time every day is a really effective strategy to reset your schedule fairly quickly.

Melatonin Supplements from our partner store, Fullscript 

Source Naturals' Melatonin 2.5mg

Melatonin supplement from our partner store, Fullscript.

Please note this product link will direct you to our partner store, Fullscript (with an ongoing 10% discount for you + free shipping on orders over $50). You must have an account to view products and shop. Create your free account at: https://us.fullscript.com/welcome/nmh/signup or click here to learn more about Fullscript.

 

 


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MEDICAL DISCLAIMER

This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice and is not a replacement for advice and treatment from a medical professional. Consult your doctor or other qualified health professional before beginning any diet change, supplement, or lifestyle program. See our terms for more information.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Call the NAMI HelpLine: 1-800-950-6264 available Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m., ET. OR text "HelpLine" to 62640 or email NAMI at [email protected]. Visit NAMI for more. You can also call or text SAMHSA at 988 or chat 988lifeline.org.