How to help your child cope with stress?.

 

Hi,

A child’s world is not always about being happy and carefree as it may seem for adults. Growing up is an anxious process that makes a child feel overwhelmed and experience stress that results from school, homework, family, friends, change of routines, school, places and many other situations.

As a parent or a caregiver, you are worried most of the time regarding your child’s wellbeing, be it his/her physical, emotional or mental health. It may be tricky for parents to identify 

stress in children. However, behavioural changes such as mood swings, changes in sleep patterns, bed-wetting, tantrums, acting out, being clingy, shy, picking up habits such as lying, bullying, defying authority indicates a child is stressed out. Stress in children can have physical effects such as headaches, nightmares, teeth grinding, stomachaches, poor appetite and habits such as hair twirling, nose picking and thumb sucking in younger children.

You cannot protect your child from stress!. Yes, you read it right. As a parent or caregiver, you cannot prevent stress from entering your child’s life. However, you can help your child cope with stress in healthy ways and eliminate the ill effects of stress in his/her life. Following are some of the ways in which you can help your child cope with stress -

1. Listen, listen and listen. Let your child have your ears. Let your child’s concerns and feelings be heard!. Be attentive, patient, calm, open and caring. Avoid being judgemental or rush to blame and lecture your child. Instead, ask questions to your child to know his/her views.

2. Help your child develop emotional awareness by labelling and identifying the emotions by name as a younger child does not yet have words for his/her feelings. This helps your child recognise his/her emotional states and communicate them in words rather than strong behaviours.

3. Help your child build confidence and resilience in self by encouraging him/her to tackle the problems that create stress in his/her life. Discuss with your child how he/she would want to solve the problems, you can brainstorm solutions if necessary.

4. Always be there for your child. Even when he/she do not want to talk. Keep your child company to make him/ her feel better as your presence counts!.

5. Spend quality time with your child. Do things that make your child happy. For instance, watch his/her favourite movie together, play your child’s favourite game, take walks or long drives etc.

6. Reduce screen time of your child as it can trigger emotional and physical stress for the child.

7. Encourage your child to lead a healthy lifestyle by consuming nutritious meals and snacks, following a sleep routine, exercising, walking, practise meditation, mindfulness and deep breathing, playing sports and outdoor games as it helps to relieve stress, provide energy and help think clearly.

8. Encourage your child to take up hobbies such as reading, painting, gardening, playing instruments etc. as it helps your child to unwind, reduce stress and enjoy life.

9. Sensory activities have a calming effect on children and help to reduce stress. Let your child have a wonderful sensory experience by playing with finger paints, play dough, water, slime, stress ball and other such activities.

10. Encourage your child to have a journal in which they can draw, write their thoughts and feelings. Maintaining a journal helps your child to figure out how to handle stressful situations.

You can try :

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