Last week I shared a post about the challenges our family are facing with sleep right now. I listed the many things that we had either bought or tried to help our daughter’s onset of sleep. The tent canopy and pressure blanket were fairly successful for a week or so but this exciting novelty then wore off and we were onto the next thing.
LED lights have been up, down and up again in addition to a star and moon ceiling projector. I have also tried to lay with her and listen together to a meditation story but this was on my phone and led to Sophia insisting that she would choose which one – a clever plan to navigate away from the app which may send her to sleep.
My ideal bedtime routine would include a hot cup of tea followed by listening to calming spa music with the sounds of rain or ocean waves, so I loved the couple of weeks that I could settle down with Sophia and one of the best sleep apps of 2021. She was benefiting from the relaxing tones of peace and tranquillity but it was also bliss for me too as I could attempt to recharge and fill my cup after a long day.
A few nights later, she would ask me “how’s your tank?” which made me laugh and smile inside as she had taken on board how everyone’s capacity to cope with long, lock down days can be depleted. So many nights my tank is running on empty but these tend to be the nights when Sophia needs me most.
Following my ask on social media for any other recommendations which promote restful sleep, two wonderful Mums suggested magnesium. Somewhere in the back of my mind was a thought that this had been mentioned before and so I decided to look into its potential benefits further. Relief from stress, sleep difficulties, restless leg pains and interrupted sleep patterns would be on my wish list too.
Dr Tara Swart is a neuroscientist who works to help individuals improve their ability to manage stress and regulate emotions and advocates “rest” as her top priority, for optimum brain function. Whilst watching one of her videos on Instagram my thoughts turn more towards my own shortfall of rest and this vital mineral. She believes that “70-80% of people in the modern world are depleted of magnesium.”
Do these signs resonate with you?
- eye lid twitching
- muscular pains
- breath holding or shallow breathing
- jaw clenching
- sleep difficulties
- restless legs (Dr Tara Swart, July 2020)
That’s a yes to nearly all for me right now, so how can we take magnesium and is it suitable for children?
Firstly, it’s naturally found in food sources such as leafy greens, avocado, nuts and dark chocolate but Dr Swart accepts the significance of increased stress levels and greater deficiency requiring supplementary measures.
The mineral can be taken in tablet form and also as a chewable which i have ordered for Sophia. I am not certain that she will be able to take them though, if her thoughts are similar to that of taking melatonin. Her fear of things being tampered with is ever increasing. There are also sachets that can be mixed with water or milk for a bedtime drink and are recommended for children.
If you get the opportunity to repose in a warm bath or dip your toes in a foot spa, adding Pink Himalayan Salt for example is a fast way of getting magnesium into your body. Baths were once a huge cause of distress for Sophia. In the early days of learning about PDA strategies our response to meltdowns at even the mention of the word changed rapidly. A bath was run and offered with no expectation of her entering it and no consequence or judgement if she didn’t. Many months later she will now often request baths and listen to calming music and hopefully salts will be a wholesome addition.
Finally, a relaxing leg massage with a magnesium lotion is also highly recommended. I used a mineral lotion suitable for children over twelve months on Sophia last night but if I’m honest it was more laughter inducing than anything because she is so ticklish on her lower legs and feet.
During these difficult times for everyone, Dr Swart (June, 2020) considers magnesium to be “the single most critical mineral for busy, stressed people including children, particularly at the moment” so I will certainly aim to increase our family intake.
NB – Please always seek clinical advice before taking supplements or giving to children. NHS.UK
