How can parents reduce anxiety?

Children of any age also have anxiety and stress over new things coming to them in life. From attending a friend's birthday party for the first time, participating in a sports competition, or preparing before an exam, ... can make children extremely worried. As a companion and being with them, how can you help with stressful times?

What should parents do to reduce anxiety?

First, you must talk to your child about that anxiety. You should be reassuring and show your child how they feel. If your child is old enough, you can explain to them what anxiety is and the physical effects it can have on our bodies. You can describe anxiety as a wave that rises and then descends again and again.

Professor Stallard thinks that with young children, you can practice with your child to develop skills and strategies. For example, when your child feels nervous about to come to your birthday party, you can advise them: “Mom / Dad will take you to your party, come and ring the bell, make introductions and hello your friend's mom or dad After that, please give gifts to you ”. However, as children get older, they must learn these skills and strategies on their own. We cannot be with children all the time to help them solve all their problems. ”

Some other tips to reduce anxiety

Teach your child to recognize the signs of anxiety and tell them to seek help when feeling anxious.

Children of all ages feel secure in having a clear and regular schedule. If your child is feeling anxious, try to get them used to planning a daily schedule.

If your child is frightened by traumatic events, such as a bereavement or separated parent, find books or movies with similar topics and content to help them. understand your feelings.

If you know there is a big change coming, such as your family about to move, prepare your child in advance by talking to him or her about big changes that are about to happen and why. those changes.

Try not to let yourself become too anxious or overly anxious. Instead, stay by your side to help your child avoid anxiety or agitation, and encourage them to find ways to cope on their own to reduce anxiety.

Practice simple relaxation techniques with your child, such as deep and slow breathing, deep breaths, counting from one to three, and breathing slowly out. You can find many other relaxation techniques online.

You can distract your child so they don't feel anxious. For example, if your child is worried about going to kindergarten, you can play a game with your child on the way to kindergarten, such as having your child find out the redest car on the road. Professor Stallard observed: "This is a way for children to turn their attention on the fears and fears inside to the external phenomenon, at which time they will no longer worry."

Make your child a box labeled "worry" with an old one. Ask your child to write or draw their concerns and put them in the box. You can then organize and talk with your child about these concerns at the end of the day or weekend.

When does your child need doctor's help?

Anxiety extends and interferes with everyday life, at which point your child needs help. Some children get over their fears, but if their fears don't find a way to cure them during childhood, into adulthood, they may continue to experience problems arising from this fear.

Seek advice from your doctor to find the right advice and treatment. If your child's fears or fears interfere with their studies, seek out to your homeroom teacher or teachers to discuss the problems and problems your child is facing.

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