WOG’s 2 Cents – Column by Brian D. King
I have said this before and am simply sharing with you what I have learned from my experience, training, and education.
Parents share a common concern that their teens don’t go to sleep at a reasonable time. If you concur, keep reading.
During weekend camps a couple years ago, a particular teenager struggled getting to sleep at night. She also had anxiety during the day, even with the medication her folks sent for both getting to sleep and the anxiety.
Fast forward two years, the teen is now a sophomore and ready to attend a three-week camp. At the drop-off, the folks checked-in the teen’s usual meds, which were about a month’s worth, along with the usual instructions. Melatonin and a prescription to get her to sleep, as well the anti-anxiety medication as needed during the day.
But I have four magic bullets for getting teens to sleep when I have them for extended camping trips – full days of physical activity with learning, the wavelength of the campfire, evening storytime, and nature. Additionally, there is no cellular service so their phones are buried in their packs, which means they have no screen time.
During the day, we hike, play, and work hard. Well before sunset, we begin preparing for our evening fire. By the time the sun sets, the fire has red gentle flames and the students want to hear stories from the past. The low burning fire stimulates the production of sleep and the healing hormone melatonin. The wavelength of the campfire stimulates storytelling. Before the stories start, I have them get their blankets. As the fire burns to a bed of coals, the Milky Way reveals itself, as do the shooting stars. I share stories from the past and from camps over the years. The teens share their own stories and before the coals are dead most of them are already back to their camp to sleep or settled in to sleep under the stars next to the fire. When it’s time to give the teen her medication to get to sleep, she couldn’t be roused. The next day, the prescription drugs for anxiety were not needed. Over the weeks to come, each night was a replay of the first night.
When her parents picked her up, they were concerned the medications had not been used, but laughed when I said I would have had to wake her to take her meds to get her to sleep.
