With everything that’s going on in the world right now, it’s not just adults feeling stress, our kids are feeling it, too. Just like parents, children may be anxious about the future. According to the National Institute of Mental Health,long-term exposureto stressful events contributes to the risk of developing an anxiety disorder, so it’s important to deal with anxiety, especially in kids. Thankfully, there are lots of science-backed ways for families to ease anxiousness and build up a sense of joy and connection. These activities can strengthen family bonds and create consistency, which can help during this uncertain and stressful time.
- Start a daily gratitude practice- It can help boost your mood, improve sleep, and relieve stress and there arestudiesto prove it. But to experience all those positive benefits, we need to practice gratitude consistently and families can do that by incorporating giving thanks into their shared daily routines. It can be as simple as writing down what you’re thankful for each day on a chalkboard.
- Break out the crayons and art supplies- Not only is it fun, artistic expression can also help ease anxiety in kids. But coloring isn’t just for little ones,researchshows creating art can lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and alleviate anxiousness. So who cares if you can barely draw a stick figure, make art a family activity and you’ll all get the therapeutic benefits.
- Encourage fantasy play- Kids love to pretend and make-believe and that kind of playing can release stress. Child and family psychologist Dr. Danielle Sutton explains that when children act out real-world events in dramatic play, it gives them a sense of control. Older kids and the entire family can engage their imaginations with games like Pictionary or Charades and by getting on the floor and following the lead of the younger kids.
- Make family fitness a priority- Strengthen your family bond while relieving stress and anxiety by staying active together. Just going for a family walk or doing a group workout comes with big benefits,researchshows that 15 to 30 minutes of low-to-moderate aerobic activity like that can help with symptoms of anxiety and depression. Family fitness doesn’t need to be complicated, it just needs to be consistent, so get moving and keep moving together a couple times a week to help you all feel better.
Source:CNN