IT's never to early to start teaching healthy coping skills for children so they can learn to manage their stress.
As mothers, we want nothing but the best for our children. We want them to grow up happy, healthy, and well-balanced individuals.
However, in today’s fast-paced world, children are often exposed to stress, anxiety, and overwhelm at a young age. It is no secret that stress has a significant impact on both physical and mental health.
In fact, according to the CDC, nearly 10% of all children age 3-17 have a diagnosis of anxiety, and almost half of those with a diagnosis require treatment from a healthcare professional.
Therefore, it is crucial to teach healthy coping skills for children to learn to manage all of their emotions, big and small. In this blog post, we will share some strategies to teach your children that can help them cope with stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.
1. Model Healthy Behaviors
One of the most effective ways to teach healthy coping skills for children is to model these behaviors ourselves. Children learn by observing their parents’ actions, so if we want our children to adopt healthy coping behaviors, we need to follow them ourselves.
For instance, if we want our children to practice mindfulness, we need to practice it ourselves and make it a family activity. Wondering how you’re going to find time for mindfulness activities in this busy season of motherhood? I felt the same way at first – read my story here.
2. Practice Breathwork and Meditation
Breathing exercises can be a simple yet powerful healthy coping skill for children to help them deal with stress, anxiety, and overwhelm. It can help calm the mind and reduce feelings of anxiety. Breathwork is a great coping skill for children because even young kids can learn calming techniques such as deep breathing and diaphragmatic breathing.
Meditation can also be beneficial in managing stress, improving focus, and promoting relaxation. You can make it a fun activity by using our library of ‘mama and me’ guided meditations and breathwork specifically designed for children.
3. Encourage Physical Activity
Engaging in physical activity is another effective and healthy coping skill for children to learn how to deal with stress and anxiety. Regular exercise releases endorphins, which are natural feel-good chemicals in the body.
Encouraging your children to participate in physical activities they enjoy, such as games, sports, dancing, or yoga can promote a sense of well-being and relaxation. Turn up the Alexa and get grooving in the kitchen before breakfast!
4. Provide a Safe Space for Communication
It is essential to create a safe space for your children to communicate their feelings. Children need to feel heard and understood, and they should not be ashamed to express their emotions.
Encouraging your child to talk about their feelings will help them develop emotional intelligence and learn to manage their emotions in a healthy way.
The same goes for you, mama! Looking to build your village? Learn more about our community membership.
5. Practice Gratitude
Finally, practicing gratitude can help your child focus on the positive aspects of their life and reduce anxiety.
Daily gratitude practices, such as writing down three things they are grateful for, or playing a game identifying things they are thankful for, can help shift their focus towards positive things, even in challenging times.
Learn more about the benefits of mindfulness and gratitude in this blog post.
Conclusion
Teaching our children healthy coping behaviors is crucial in today’s fast-paced life. Modeling healthy behaviors, practicing breathwork and meditation, encouraging physical activity, providing a safe space for communication, and practicing gratitude can help our children develop resilience and manage stress, anxiety, and overwhelm.
The earlier we start teaching these strategies, the more likely our children are to adopt them as lifelong habits. As mothers, let’s make it our mission to help our children grow up as emotionally healthy individuals.
Are you a young mother struggling to cope with anxiety and stress, while taking care of your little ones? We know how challenging it can be to balance all aspects of your life, and that’s why we’re excited to offer you healthy coping strategies that can help you and your kids live a happier and healthier life.
Our membership community is designed specifically for moms like you who are looking for a supportive community that understands the unique challenges of motherhood. We provide evidence-based strategies that have helped countless moms overcome anxiety and stress while nurturing their kids.
By joining our membership waitlist, you’ll be among the first to get access to our expert-curated guides and resources, community and connection with other mamas, and a library of guided meditations and breathwork with mom in mind that will help you manage your stress levels and prioritize your health.
With useful tools and proven techniques, you’ll have everything you need to ensure the well-being of both you and your family.
Join our waitlist today and unlock the power of healthy coping strategies for you and your kids. We can't wait to welcome you into our community!
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Lauren Hays, PMHNP
Lauren was a licensed and trained registered nurse in the NICU and has since made a career shift to focus on mental health. Lauren is now a board certified Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner, focusing on women’s health and wellness. She is a mom of three precious little men who has turned her pain into passion.
