There is much truth in the saying by the Roman poet Ovid:
Take rest; a field that has rested gives a bountiful crop.
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Skaters often return refreshed and stronger after their rink closes for a week or so or their coach schedules an end-of-the-season break. What is too easy to forget is the rest our athletes need on a daily basis.
The book NurtureShock: New Thinking about Children by Po Bronson and Ashley Merryman has some startling new findings about children, including new findings about children and sleep. The importance of sleep is stressed for everything from brain development to obesity prevention to emotional well-being. For athletes who tend to be high achievers anyway, it can be difficult for them to find enough time to get adequate sleep with their busy schedules. The book has an important message about sleep, a message which can only help our children if we pay attention to it.
If rest was necessary in Ovid’s time from 43 B.C. to A.D. 17 or 18, just think how much more it’s needed today. As parents, we’re used to helping our children with the essentials needed for their training. Let’s not forget about rest.
icemom says
We have this same issue with sleep, Deb. I try very hard to have Ice Girl go to bed at a reasonable hour, but she finds all sorts of ways of avoiding the pillow. I know that teen sleep rhythms change and we discuss giving up 6 a.m. ice all the time.
It's Spring Break and she's slept almost constantly!
Great post, Deb!
Ice Mom
Deb Chitwood says
Thanks, Ice Mom! I think it gets harder the older they get. Highly driven teens and adults especially seem to need help making time for sleep. I need help myself!