The bedtime for young children between the ages of two to five in Korea was the latest at 9:52 p.m. among that of children in Japan, the United States, Finland and Taiwan, a recent study by the Korea Institute of Child Care and Education said. More than 58 percent of Korean children went to bed past 10 p.m. In 2016, studies showed that total daily hours of sleep for young children in Korea were one hour and eight minutes shorter than the hours in Western countries such as the United States, England and Canada.
Sufficient amount of sleep is important for children growing up. Children lacking sleep not only has stunted growth but is at higher risk for other diseases such as obesity and precocious puberty. For adolescents, sleep deprivation leads to difficulty with schoolwork due to lowered concentration levels and in extreme cases behavior disorders.
An environment conducive to sleep is pivotal for better sleep. The temperature and humidity of the bedroom is important. In the winter, the bedroom being too warm can get in the way of quality sleep. It is advised that the bedroom be kept at cool temperatures between 18-23 degrees Celsius. In the dry winter and spring, using a humidifier or drinking water can aid falling asleep.
Eating a small portion of carbohydrates before bedtime can be conducive to falling asleep, but eating too much must be avoided. Overeating hinders sleep. When having trouble falling asleep, lying in bed and trying can be stressful. Instead, it is advised to get up and try light stretching exercises that relieve stress.
Young children or teenagers in their growth stages should go to bed before 10 p.m. The body releases the most growth hormones between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m.
Mee-Jee Lee image@donga.com