FOX 13’s The Place: Nightmares

October 23, 2017 Jessie Shepherd, LCMHC

Click here or the image to watch the segment!

When the Boogieman feels real: Tips to stop your kids nightmares

Function of Dreams.

The highest prevalence of nightmares has been shown between the ages of 5 to 10 years old (Schredl, Fricke-Oerkermann, & Mitschke. 2009).

-Nightmares appear to be an evolutionary tool for survival in that our brains can problem solve a variety of scenarios (Barrett, 2016).

Bedtime Routine.

-Kids need 8-10 hours of sleep.

-Nightmares occur more often with sleep deprivation.

-Make sure they are safe.

Activities:

-Practice Mindfulness

-Rewrite the ending

-Change the ‘channel’

-Stay Away Monster Spray

No new images.

-Reduce images they might encounter that could be apart of their nightmares (movies, haunted houses, youtube, tv shows, people scaring them.

Seek support.

-Medical professionals: Primary care doctor, possible sleep study, vitamin deficiencies

-School personnel: Teachers, School counselors, school friends

-Mental health: Mental health therapist/counselor.

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Stay Away Monster Spray Recipe

Ingredients:

-6-8 ounces of Water

-4 drops of Lavender essential oil/Orange essential oil/Spearmint essential oil

-(Optional) 2-3 sprays of parents perfume/cologne

Directions:

-Fill bottle with water

-Add essential oil

-Shake well

-Spray in corners, under bed, and in closet for a monster free night.