Sleep – It Does A Family Good by Archibald Hart

People today are sleep-deprived, and nowhere are the negative effects felt more acutely than in families. Most parents realize that their families aren’t getting enough sleep, though they likely don’t understand how serious the problem is and need help finding a solution. In this book, renowned psychologist and best-selling author Arch Hart explores why sleep is so important, what happens when family members are chronically sleep deprived, and how families can start developing healthy sleep habits.

Busy, busy, busy. It seems like everyone is getting busier. I know I am. Not only are we busier, but with multiple computers in our home, we’ve started spending even more time on-line. And with wireless internet, I’ve been known to take my laptop to bed. (Who am I kidding? Most of the time my laptop is on my bed!)

I knew that sleep was important. Don’t we all know that? But there are lots of people who claim not to need 8 hours of sleep. There’s also the whole morning person/night person idea. Dr. Hart makes some compelling arguments against both of those ideas. Included in the book is general information about sleep – why we need it, the phases of sleep, what happens while we sleep, etc. In addition, he includes numerous assessments to determine if you and your family are getting enough sleep. There are helpful tips for fighting insomnia as well as a chapter on Christian meditation. The meditation described is not related to Eastern religion, but is a focused time of thinking on things like God’s attributes or positive things that happened in our day. The basic idea was consistent with Philippians 4:8.

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things [are] honest, whatsoever things [are] just, whatsoever things [are] pure, whatsoever things [are] lovely, whatsoever things [are] of good report; if [there be] any virtue, and if [there be] any praise, think on these things.

After reading this book I am convinced and determined that I will get more sleep. I will also institute earlier bedtimes for my kids. I will encourage my husband to get more sleep as well. That reminds me, I’d better get my kids ready for bed!

This is the 15th book I’ve finished this year. Visit 52 Books in 52 Weeks to see what others are reading this week.

On the nightstand:

Hunter’s Moon
Not a Sparrow Falls
Instructing a Child’s Heart
Anna Karenina.

Disclaimer: This book was provided to me free of charge by Tyndale House as a member of the Tyndale Blog Network. I was not compensated for this review.