Exercise and Sleep: The Better Brain Therapies Your Child Needs

Research has found that both exercise and sleep minimize a child’s genetic predisposition to ADHD and improve attention, mood, executive function, and self-regulation.

tamiandz

December 16, 2018 at 12:41 am

I’m at my wits end. My 8 year old son cannot for the life of him fall asleep. He have done everything under the sun -except one thing.
We use or have used all of the following in combinations and singularly with no result: a sleep mask, lavender oil diffuser, magnesium oil, resistance/stretchy fabric sack, white noise, guided meditation, rain sounds, music, fan, open window, massage, foot rubs, sleepy time tea, melatonin, chamomile (oil and tea), stories every night, snuggling, relaxing bath, shower… what else, I’m sure there’s more. The one thing we haven’t tried is a weighted blanket, while I think he weight will help, he is a hot body who can barely be under the duvet with clothes on before he complains he’s too hot.
We decided to stop the melatonin because it’s not good to replace the body’s ability to produce is with extrinsic sources, but the kid cannot fall asleep with out it. Even with melatonin, it takes him over an hour, but without, 3 hours or more. His doctor said “let him stay up later”. Brilliant idea. Now he’s still awake at 11:30 rather than 10:30.
He cannot keep his eyes closed and he cannot keep from twitching and moving around. It’s almost like restless leg. I literally don’t have any more ideas to try. Any advice anyone may have would be very welcome.