Did you know that a lot of kids these days suffer from a declined mental health? According to the CDC…
- 7.1% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 4.4 million) have diagnosed anxiety.
- 3.2% of children aged 3-17 years (approximately 1.9 million) have diagnosed depression.
And these are kids that have been diagnosed, so we know that there are plenty more kids out there undiagnosed.
We are all trying to navigate these challenging times during the pandemic but as parents I am hoping we can change our perspective just a little bit. Have you noticed your child smiling a little bit more or maybe not acting out as much? Or Maybe you have noticed your kid is filled with a little more anxiety now that we are quarantined. Kids are put under a lot stress with the pressure of schools and outside activities. This could be a great time to evaluate what you will rush back to when this is all over and what activities you’ll leave behind.
If you are stressed about homeschooling your child, I am here to tell you it’s going to be okay. They will catch up and although right now it seems like a big deal, it will merely be a bump in the road. Truly the best thing you can focus on right now is your child’s mental health, because this will help them develop the resilience to cope with whatever comes their way. Also when a kid is happy they are willing and ready to learn at a much quicker rate then if they are filled with anxiety or depression.
Here are my top 5 ways to help boost your child’s mental health
- Get outside in nature: This seems self explanatory but find an activity they enjoy like walk, bike riding, playing basketball ect.
- Go Noodle: This website is a fan favorite with my kids. They have 14 million videos on movement and mindfulness.
- Cosmic kids Yoga– Cosmic kids yoga does a great job of keeping kids engaged with yoga through a storytelling.
- Be Calm on Ahway Island Bedtime Stories Podcast: You can find this one in your podcast app on your phone. If you have a kid who has trouble with sleeping then you should definitely try this. The meditation always starts with kid friendly breathing exercises and then follows with a story. Since we started using these meditations months ago I have found my son using the breathing techniques in his daily life.
- Create a worry box: Have your child create a box that they can put their worries in. Then they can write the worry a piece of paper to put in the box. Everyday the parent and child can talk through the worries they are having and help ease their anxiety about them.
As we move through these challenging times just take some time to breathe. Not every day will be perfect, but take time to reflect on what went well and what needs a little work. Try these tips but remember that they don’t replace seeking professional medical help if necessary.
