Mental Health Tips We Should Be Teaching Kids
By Genevieve Cunningham
Being a kid in today's world is tough. As adults, we look at a child's life and think about how easy it must be. But when you’re little and in the midst of it, it can be big and scary and overwhelming. It's up to adults to make it easier and to teach them how to handle life as it comes. In order to do this, it's important to teach them some very important mental health habits that they can take with them into adulthood. To get your kids moving in the right direction, take a look at these three tips.
Deep Breathing Exercises
Deep breathing is something that everyone can do, no matter their age or physical condition. When kids are feeling emotions that are bigger than they are, teach them to take 3 to 5 long deep breaths. During that time, they should try to relax and let the height of the emotion pass. While it may be difficult for little ones in the beginning, it will get easier with practice, and they may have it down perfectly by the time they are a teen.
Positive Self Talk
The way that we talk to ourselves plays a big role in our mental health. If your kid is constantly telling themselves that they can't do something, that they aren't important, or other negative phrases, then they will start to believe it. If you can, teach your children to talk to themselves in a positive way. They should tell themselves that they are capable, strong, and independent. Teaching positive self talk will be more beneficial than almost anything else your child ever learns.
Physically Healthy Habits
If you want your kid to take care of themselves mentally, start with habits they can physically do. Teach them good bedtime habits, regular exercise habits, and how to eat well. These physical habits will evolve with time and turn into whole body and mind wellness that can last a lifetime.
The earlier you can teach good mental health habits, the better off your children will be. Use these tips to get your children moving in the right direction. Lead by example, teach them how to take care of themselves, and you'll have mentally and physically healthy children grow into healthy and productive adults.
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