249. Could Better Sleep and More Movement Be the Missing Piece in Your Child's Emotional Regulation?

249. Could Better Sleep and More Movement Be the Missing Piece in Your Child's Emotional Regulation?

July 14, 2026 · 29 min

About this episode

Dr. Caroline Buzanko discusses the importance of sleep and movement in children's emotional regulation and resilience.

When your child seems constantly overwhelmed, distracted, anxious, or emotionally reactive, it's easy to assume you need another behaviour strategy. Sometimes the first place to look is much simpler. In this episode of Overpowering Emotions, Dr. Caroline Buzanko explains why movement and sleep are two of the strongest predictors of emotional regulation, attention, resilience, and learning. She shares what happens inside the brain when children move their bodies, why exercise supports executive functioning, and how quality sleep helps the brain process emotions, strengthen memory, and prepare for the next day. You'll also learn why taking away recess often makes behaviour worse, how phones interfere with healthy sleep, why teenagers naturally struggle with early school mornings, and practical ways to build movement and healthy sleep routines that children will actually maintain. Be sure to tune in because this episode offers realistic strategies grounded in neuroscience that can improve emotional well-being one small habit at a time. Within the Anxiety Compass Framework, many emotional struggles are better understood as capacity limitations rather than skill deficits. When…

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Host: Dr. Caroline Buzanko

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