Second Wind

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Second wind (or third wind, fourth wind, etc.) is a sleep phenomenon in which a person, after a prolonged period of staying awake, temporarily ceases to feel drowsy, often making it difficult to fall asleep once it happens. Second wind can also be caused by not sleeping for the proper amount of time. This difficulty to fall asleep is believed to be a survival mechanism related to the flight or fight response, which can make those with a second wind susceptible to panic attacks.

One can avoid "getting a second wind" by practicing proper sleep hygiene. A second wind can also be avoided by figuring out how much sleep is the right amount of sleep for you and making sure to not get less or more sleep then the proper amount for you. Arenal Gland fatigue may also be a cause of second wind.

Prevention's

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Proper Sleep Hygiene

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Practicing proper sleep hygiene includes things like getting the exact amount of sleep that is right for you, not more or less, not trying too hard to fall asleep, letting it happen naturally, getting rid of a clock in the bedroom so you don't get stressed out over what time it is, and avoiding alcohol, caffeine, and nicotine between lunch and the time you go to sleep. Although these are a few good tips for improving sleep hygiene, there are many more and different things work for everybody. [1]

Proper Amount of Sleep

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Although the proper amount of sleep for someone is very individualistic, many sleep studies have produced, on average, how many hours of sleep certain age groups should get. According to the National Sleep Foundation the first age group, babies from zero to two months old, should get an average of twelve to eighteen hours of sleep. The second age group, infants from three to eleven months, should get an average of fourteen to fifteen hours of sleep. The third age group, toddlers from one to three years old, should get an average of twelve to fourteen hours of sleep. The fourth age group, preschoolers from three to five years old, should get an average of eleven to thirteen hours of sleep. The fifth age group, elementary kids, should get an average of ten to eleven hours of sleep. The sixth age group, teens from ten to seventeen, should get an average of eight and a half to nine and a quarter hours of sleep. The seventh and final age group, adults from seventeen to death, should get an average of seven to nine hours of sleep. [2]

Second Wind In Children

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In many cases, babies are not put down for a nap at appropriate times. Babies or young children should be taking naps at the first signs of tiredness instead of putting their kids to bed at a bed time that is too early, like some parents often do.[3] These signs include but are not limited to fussing, rubbing eyes, yawning, lying down and decreasing activity. If a parent or guardian waits too long to put a baby to bed, for instance, taking too long for a pre-nap routine such as changing clothes, cleaning up, or changing diapers, by the time they are finished, the baby may be wide awake. The child has hit the second wind and by this time of the day, taking a nap is inconvenient. It is difficult to sleep while having a second wind and the child ends up having a later bed time and being in an irritated state for the rest of the evening. To eliminate this second wind, it is appropriate to set specific nap times for children. [4]

Adrenal Gland Fatigue

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Adrenal gland fatigue is an excessive release of a certain stress hormone that takes part in the flight or flight response in the human body, his hormone is called cortisol. When you become stressed, over time, the release of cortisol can be decreased dramatically, causing many symptoms. Some of these symptoms include second wind, obesity, lack of energy, and low blood pressure. This second wind tends to appear in the early morning or right before bed time. Although those who have adrenal gland fatigue may get a lot of sleep, they do not they need out of sleep, cause a second or third wind. [5]

Annotated Bibliography

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  1. This source talks about what proper sleep hygiene is and what things are considered proper sleep hygiene. The source also talks about how important it is to find the right amount of sleep for you and sleep that amount every night. I know this source is reliable because the author has written other books on how to avoid sleepless nights and how to practice proper sleep habits.
  2. This source talks about how the proper amount of sleep is individualistic, but what the National Sleep Foundation says the average amount of sleep different age groups should receive everyday. The averages for each group are based on several sleep studies conducted by multiple sleep specialists. I know this source is reliable because it is an article produced by the National Sleep Foundation on their website.
  3. This source is about how much having a nap at a proper time can affect a baby or child's second wind. It also tells the symptoms of tired babies and when an appropriate time for a nap would be. I know this source is reliable because the auther is also the author of many parenting books including, The No-Cry Discipline Solution, The No-Cry Sleep Solution, The No-Cry Sleep Solution for Toddlers and Preschoolers, The No-Cry Potty Training Solution, Gentle Baby Care, and Hidden Messages. She also has articles in such magazines as, American Baby, Parenting, Parents, Woman's Day, Good Housekeeping and, Redbook.
  4. This article is an interview with Doctor Richard A. Ferber. This interview is about how sleep during childhood has changed. Examples are putting children to bed too early, sleep doesn't get progressively worse during the day, but you do get a second wind at some point and having computers, televisions, and cell phones have caused less sleep in children and adults. I know this is a credible source because all of the information comes from a retired doctor of thirty three years that has worked for The Children's Hospital Boston as the director of the Center for Pediatric Sleep Disorders.
  5. This website is about the symptoms of adrenal gland fatigue, some of the symptoms include having a second wind one or more times, in the early morning and during the eveing, having a lack of energy, low blood pressure, and obesity. Adrenal gland fatigue is to be known as the body not getting enough corticol hormones that deal with your flight or flight responses. I know this is a relieble source because it is an article from the Livestrong website and the author has written several articles over the course of fifteen years and has a Master of Arts degree in gerontology.

References

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  1. ^ Hauri, Peter (1991). Case Studies in Insomnia. New York, NY: Plenum Publishing Corporation. pp. 66–68.
  2. ^ "How Much Sleep Do We Really Need?". National Sleep Foundation. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  3. ^ Ferber, Richard A. "Ask the expert: Sleep". Children's Hospital Boston. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  4. ^ Pantley, Elizabeth. "Regular Naps Improve Nighttime Sleep". About.com. Retrieved 6 December 2011.
  5. ^ Brassard, Susan. "Adrenal Gland Fatigue Symptoms". Demand Media, Inc. Retrieved 6 December 2011.