By Safiya Sulaiman
April is in a few days and so is National Stress Awareness Month; stress affects people of all ages, including children. Since they’re still young, they’re still figuring out how to deal with difficulties and internalize their emotions in a healthy way. Luckily, there are ways that you as a parent can guide them in building emotional resilience and handling their stress.
In order to understand stress better, one should know about some of the causes. Causes may include:
Academic Pressure
Family Tension
Friendship/Social Struggles
Big Life Transitions (moving, going to a new school, etc.)
Not Enough Rest and Relaxation
These are just some of many stressors. Knowing the exact cause of your child’s distress will best aid you and your child with figuring out a solution and helping them feel better.
Your kids might not tell you firsthand about their feelings. Which is why you should pay attention to any change in their health and behavior. Signs of stress may include:
Stomach pain
Headaches
Irritability
Social Withdrawal
Sadness
Recognizing signs of distress is sometimes overlooked, but it's crucial in helping your child overcome it. Being there for your child, during his/her time of need is a great start.
Encourage communication, about your child’s feelings and difficulties. Active listening and validation are ways to let them know that you care and are willing to support them. Listening with no judgment is also important because it fosters transparency and encourages them to tell the whole truth, which is vital to giving them the best solution to their problems.
Promote positive coping, by teaching them relaxation strategies and a healthy lifestyle. Teaching them ways to manage their stress by using breathing techniques, taking breaks, and visualization may be effective when dealing with tension in tough times. Getting enough exercise, sleep, and healthy eating are ways to contribute to your child’s wellbeing and possibly reduce their stress.
Teaching resilience, can also go a long way when helping your child tackle stress. Training them to reframe negative thoughts to more realistic ones will assist with developing better thought patterns and address the issue with logic. Problem solving is another essential skill because it assists with dealing with challenges with initiative and establishing resilience.
Seek professional help, if the stress is severe and interferes with daily life. Don’t hesitate to communicate with mental health professionals and other resources that can ease your child’s distress and develop long term solutions that are beneficial to their specific needs.
Helping your child with managing stress takes patience, encouragement, and understanding. By teaching them problem solving, healthy coping, and resilience they will be able to handle any challenge and stress that comes their way.
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