Halloween is an extremely popular Canadian holiday and millions of kids will dress up and go trick-or-treating. But do you know the three aspects of this tradition that will have an impact on how your children sleep? Learn more about the factors of trick-or-treating that have a distinct impact on your kids’ sleeping habit.
1. Excess Sugar
It’s no surprise that sugar is the top ingredient in almost all forms of Halloween candy. While your kid may be able to have a moderate amount of sugar and be unaffected, odds are they’re going to have more than that on Halloween.
Although many parents blame sugar for making their kids hyper, the greater effect of sugar is that it makes you crash. Recent studies showed that sugar consumption prevents the flow of orexin, a neurotransmitter that affects wakefulness and sleep. Even though your kids may be excited as they dump their buckets out and indulge in their sweet loot, you’ll soon see their energy levels drop as the sugar helps them sleep through the night.
2. Chocolate
Of the hundreds of candies trick-or-treaters will encounter this Halloween, many of them will be chocolate. You may not realize it, but chocolate contains caffeine, the same stimulant found in tea, coffee, and soda. This is especially true for dark chocolate, which is a purer form of cocoa that contains less sugar and additives. As you might imagine, caffeine will play a role in keeping your kids awake and may cause them to wake up after just a few hours of sleep.
3. Exercise at Night
There has been much debate over how exercise at night affects the quality of your sleep. While your kids may seem hyped up after walking through nearby neighborhoods in search of treats, the exercise will ultimately improve their sleep. In fact, research confirms that even 10 minutes of exercise can enhance the quality of your sleep. One of the healthiest parts of the trick-or-treating experience is the exercise kids get from walking house to house.
How Will Your Kids Sleep After Trick-or-Treating?
Of the three factors that affect your kids’ sleep, sugar and exercise are likely to be the most prominent. Unless your kids are drinking soda or energy drinks before going trick-or-treating, then the small amount of caffeine they’ll consume in chocolate is not likely to interrupt their sleep in comparison to the crash they’ll feel from sugar. When combined with the exercise of exploring their neighborhood, it’s safe to expect that your kids will sleep well on Halloween night.
Ralhan Dental Wishes You a Good Night’s Sleep this Halloween!
Sleep is an important part of our lives and various activities or foods can affect the quality of our sleep. As we remain aware of these factors that impact the way we sleep on Halloween, remember that true sleeping difficulties are no laughing matter. If you or a loved one need help sleeping through the night, our Ontario dental team can help you. Contact Dr. Ralhan today.