Reducing Stress in Children
By Valerie Mellema
Adults are not the only ones who suffer from stress on a day-to-day basis. Children face unique stress in their day-to-day lives as well. They may have relationship issues with other children in school or they may have so many extracurricular activities that they have a hard time juggling their time. Because of this, it's important for parents to seek out stress relief in a variety of factors.
Drawing is an excellent way for children to release stress. Children love to draw and even drawing with your children can be great for stress relief for you too. The next time you're feeling stressed, break out the crayons and paper with your kids. Work through feelings in an abstract way or create something unique together. The pictures that children draw can actually give you great insight into how a child feels.
Taking a walk is another great stress relief tip. You can enjoy the fact that you're getting exercise, which is something more and more of our kids need these days, and you can enjoy the outdoors as well. Put them in the stroller, the wagon or take the dog on a walk, either way you'll be able to get everyone’s minds off of stressors and enjoy nature at the same time.
Blowing bubbles is also an excellent stress reducer for kids. It's almost like a meditation of sorts for children. They have fun and find a great deal of relaxation through something that is so simple.
Children, similar to adults, find relaxation and stress relief through music. Music has excellent stress relief properties and it's great for keeping your kids in a peaceful mood. You can sing and dance together or you can play it lightly while they do homework, draw or just play.
Children need interaction with other children. If you have friends or family who also have children, working out a play date or some social time with them is an excellent idea. Not only do you get to visit with family and friends, but your children get some social interaction from their friends as well.
Playing with pets is also a great stress relief benefit for children as well. Playing ball with the dog to even watching fish in an aquarium is an excellent way to find stress relief for children. Pets are frequently used in therapy and the right pet can easily relieve a child of great amounts of stress.
Sometimes just laying around the house or yard is the best stress relief for children. Lying in a hammock or just sitting around their room reading a book on a quiet afternoon can go a long way in creating a stress free atmosphere for them.
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