Kids and Stress: Tips to Help
Tips to Help Your Kids with Stress
Even with summer break only a month away, many of our young community members still experience stress on a daily basis. Do you know how to help your kids with stress? It can be a sensitive topic of conversation and there can also be multiple causes. Additionally, some of those causes may be hard for an adult to relate to. We’ve outlined practical tips to help.
Spend time together
Try to spend an hour or more each week one-on-one with your child. When you are present and available that builds trust and safety to have those difficult conversations. They need to feel that you are there for them or on their side, and this is just one step in that direction.
Encourage them to be active
Regular exercise is the best, natural form of stress reduction. Encourage a team sport, swimming, or hiking. This is another good way to spend time together as well.
Have a routine
When you run your house in a similar way you may run your office it creates dependability. For example, have dinner around the same time each night or Fridays are pizza and movie nights. Not only does it help reduce stress with something to look forward to, but it’s another chance to connect.
Healthy food
If you have your refrigerator and pantry full of nutrient-rich foods instead of soda and candy, that will aide in stress reduction alone. Diet plays a huge role in how we respond to stress. If we have a healthy diet which creates healthy gut biome, it lessens our chance of experiencing depression and anxiety.
Learn to listen
There’s a distinct difference between listening to respond and listening to hear. Further, most kids can sense whether or not their parent is actually present which impacts the trust level. When your child begins to open up and talk, stop what you’re doing, sit down, put away your phone, and look at them with interest. Additionally, you should ask open-ended clarifying questions and never judge. When they have an open line of communication that makes a world of difference in where they turn.
If you want to find professional help to help your kids with stress
Lifeline Connections commits to long-term wellness for our patients. For example, we offer an integrated, holistic approach that includes substance use disorder treatment, therapy, and case management. For example, our doctors specialize in the treatment of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders, working to solve ones that have a compounding effect. Above all contact us and reclaim your life.
