Health and wellbeing brand (and bedmaker) Mammoth is working with University of Oxford sleep scientist, Dr Nicola Barclay, to help families get back into their daily routines despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Thanks to Covid-19, routines have been disrupted for many people. With most children now back in school, Mammoth has launched a new video with Nicola, sharing support and advice for parents looking to get back on track.
Nicola, who works in the University of Oxford’s Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute, says: “Since lockdown, we may have found our sleep routines disrupted, and many parents say that their young children or teens aren’t getting enough sleep. After six months of upheaval, now is a good time to take stock and try to get our routines going again.
“As a mum myself, this is a subject close to my heart. I really recommend bringing bedtimes forward for children and a good tip is to start the bedtime routine 15 minutes earlier each night. Keep lights low in the evening, try calm activities, a relaxing bath and minimise screen time before bed. This gradual approach – keeping the routine going at weekends, too – will help the whole family get back into a healthy routine.”
The video covers a range of topics, including: bedtime and wake time routines; the relationship between sleep and concentration; the sleep requirements for children of different ages; and the importance of sleep in helping children grow up fit and active. According to Nicola, children aged three to five should get between 10-13 hours sleep a night, six to 12-year-olds, 9-12 hours, and teens between 13 and 18 should aim for 8–10 hours.
Mammoth Founder and CEO, John Tuton, comments: “Dr Barclay’s advice is incredibly helpful for families and we’re grateful to her for sharing her expertise. As a dad of two young daughters, I know how important it is to implement a consistent sleep routine and I hope that others find this advice to be as useful as I have.
“At Mammoth, we are committed to helping people improve their health and wellbeing through sleep and comfort. Good sleep is the foundation for a healthy lifestyle, and during these challenging times it has never been more important to do everything we can to care for ourselves, both physically and mentally.”
