While adults are better able to cope with such difficult situations, children may need parental supervision to identify and manage stress and anxiety. (Representative photo)
Parents can help their children manage stress and anxiety by communicating with them and providing appropriate support.
In this rapidly growing world, most people face stress and anxiety for a variety of reasons, and children are no exception. There can be many reasons why a child may feel stressed or anxious, from problems at school and peer pressure to environmental changes. While adults are better at coping with such challenging situations, children may need parental supervision to identify and manage stress and anxiety. It is important for children to receive proper guidance and reassurance to manage their stress and develop emotional maturity.
As a parent, you play a vital role in helping your child cope with stress and anxiety. Here are five effective ways to help your child manage these difficult issues.
Validate their feelings
Unlike adults, children don't know how to react when things get tough. So, as a parent, you can reassure your child that whatever they're feeling is quite normal. By validating their feelings and telling them it's okay to feel the way they are, they'll feel understood, which, in turn, can help them manage their anxiety.
Tell them the feelings won't last.
Children can often feel overwhelmed by anxiety and stress, which can even lead them to think that these emotions are permanent. As a parent, it is a responsibility to acknowledge these feelings and let them know that the pangs of anxiety will not last forever. Reassuring them will restore their hope.
Participate in activities with your children
In addition to encouraging words, you can also do some physical activities with your children. Play a sport, go for a walk, paint with them or exercise – all of these can act as an outlet for your emotions. Moreover, practicing mindfulness has also been shown to have positive effects on anxiety and significantly reduce it.
Listen to your child
Whenever you tell a child what to do, it can aggravate their anxiety and stress. Instead, ask your child to express their feelings. Allowing them to say what is on their mind can help them understand their emotions better and build confidence. If children can articulate their feelings word for word, then it will give them clarity about their emotions. Remember, communication is always the key!
Give them a helping hand
When anxiety and stress strike, children can feel isolated, and this can sometimes turn into more serious problems. Therefore, it is important to let children know that they are not alone and that they have support every step of the way. Receiving support can help them talk better about their emotions.
