HELPING CHILDREN DEAL WITH STRESS

Children are often considered as innocent, happy and carefree; parents and guardians often forget these children are human and can experience worries and anxieties that can cause them to experience stress. Thus, it is important for parents to acknowledge their feelings and perspectives and for them to be aware of coping mechanisms or methods that children can use to lessen their stress.

Childhood stress can as be as result of change in environment at school or at home. It can also be caused by illness or death in family, separation of parents, unfavourable conditions at school such as bullying and disinterest in some subjects. Some physical, emotional and behavioural signs of stress children may show are grumpiness, mood swings, trouble concentrating on completing tasks or assignments, they become withdrawn and changes in their sleep pattern. Nonetheless, one positive result of children experiencing stress is that, it is an avenue for them to develop their own coping methods, as a result, they are able to hone their problem-solving skills leading to better management of stress in adulthood.

Parents can play a vital role in aiding their children manage stress. Thus, should signs of stress be realised in children, parents can do these to reduce 2112stress or help them cope:

• Parents should take the first step to talk to their children. They can show their wards how valid their feelings are by sharing their own experiences. This would encourage them to open up and be honest about their feelings. Children become comforted and at ease when they feel understood thus, they are able to manage their emotions properly. By discussing the cause of their stress and helping them come up with solutions is an effective way to help your child cope with stress.
• Also, it is advisable for parents to consult counsellors or mental health professionals concerning children who show signs of unwillingness to open up about what is causing them to be stressed.
• Another way to help reduce stress in children is to limit their screen time and rather allow them to engage more in playful activities. You can also encourage them to undertake activities such as exercise routines, breathing techniques and petting animals. These activities release hormones that help one to relax.
• Moreover, parents need make sleep a priority for children. Sleep helps to boost one’s mood, thus, minimises stress. Good sleep helps children to rejuvenate leading to better social and academic performances.
• Parent should also manage their own stress well because it is contagious. Kids can be stressed out when parents are experiencing stress.

There will always be stress, the important thing is for one to manage it properly. This is why parents need to help children develop coping skills to tackle stressful situations effectively.