Anxious Kids: Here's How to Help
By Genevieve Cunningham
We generally think of anxiety as an adult problem. It's something that comes with work and obligations and finances. We very rarely attribute it to kids -- and when we do, it's because those kids have been through something big and traumatic. What may be surprising is that kids can suffer anxiety too. And not just kids who are carrying around trauma. Any kids! As adults, the best thing we can do is help them learn to manage anxiety so that they can live full, healthy, happy lives. How? If you're looking to help your kids manage their anxiety, take a look at these tips.
Stay Busy
Any time anxiety is creeping into your life, it's best to stay busy, and this is just as true when it comes to children. A bored mind leaves room for more anxiety. It leaves room for stress and worry. But if we keep the mind busy, we leave a lot less space for anxiousness. For kids, staying busy is easy. You can let them join a sports team, take them to music lessons, join a local play group, or allow them to engage in a hobby of interest. When kids are allowed to be busy and involved, they're less likely to experience waves of anxiety that harm their overall health.
Learn Coping Skills
Even if we do everything right with our children, anxiety can still happen. That's why kids, just like adults, should know how to cope when those moments happen. Teach kids coping skills such as deep breathing, movement, or counting methods. The more tools kids have to beat anxiety, the easier it will be for them to deal with the anxiety when it arrives and to eliminate the anxiety from their lives in the long run.
Hear Them Out
Sometimes kids just need to get it out of their system. They need to tell you their worries. They need you to listen, and maybe give advice if the occasion calls for it. Getting worrisome thoughts off of our chest can make a big difference in how we feel and how we're able to cope in everyday life. Try to be a sounding board for your kids. Allow them to talk without any judgment being given. Allow them to get their thoughts out without any condescending replies -- no matter how trivial their worries may seem. This gives your children a safe place to return to anytime they're feeling worried for the rest of their lives.
Kids can experience anxiety too. They have worries and stress. They have big emotions and don't always know how to deal with them -- a perfect storm for anxiety to rise. Use these tips to help your kids through anxious episodes, and set them up for better mental and physical health for years to come.
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