It is true that children and adolescents are facing increasing levels of stress and anxiety in recent years. Research has shown that high levels of stress and anxiety can have negative effects on children's physical and mental health, including an increase in the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol can lead to a range of negative health effects, such as weight gain, high blood pressure, uncontrolled excitability, impaired immune function and more.
There are several factors that may contribute to the high levels of stress and anxiety that children are experiencing, including academic pressure, social media, stimulating noises and the fast pace of modern life. It's important for parents, educators, and other adults to be aware of these issues and to take steps to guard and support children in managing stress and anxiety.
Children can often be overstimulated and have difficulty self-regulating which can lead to unexplained outbursts.
Children thrive in calm, organized & uncluttered environments when they know what to expect.
Some strategies that may be helpful in reducing stress and anxiety in children include:
- Encourage a healthy lifestyle: Helping children to develop healthy habits, such as getting enough sleep, omitting processed foods and eating a balanced diet of real foods like fruits, vegetables and meats. Praying, and exercising regularly, can support their overall physical and mental well-being.
- Practice relaxation techniques: Teaching children relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or mindfulness, thinking on things that are good, can help them to manage stress and anxiety in a healthy way.
- Keep children out of high stress situations that will drive sensory overload on their young and developing systems. The loud music we might take for granted could be earsplitting noise to developing ears. The bright lights that are fun and exciting for the adult could be disorienting and even scary to the young child who hasn't been in such an environment before.
- Encourage positive thinking: Helping children to develop a positive mindset can help them to cope with challenges and setbacks more effectively.
- In your home routine if your child is struggling with stress or anxiety (which often manifests of the child being ‘out of control’ or ‘not listening’), it may be helpful to provide them with a CALM routine that includes emotional support from the use of essential oils.
By taking steps to support children in managing stress and anxiety, we can help them find their calm to live healthier, more fulfilling lives. In turn that will give them a firm foundation to move with courage and confidence when exploring their world.
I am not a medical professional. These suggestions should not be used in place of consulting with a medical professional if your child is experiencing stress and anxiety.
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