Have you ever noticed children faint during examination even though they read well or ever noticed a few children become aloof even at chilled-out parties? There is always a cause behind these sudden changes and stress plays a major role in this transition.
Children talk about school homework and co-curricular activities in which they seem to be active but it somehow acts as stressors too. But those activities are exceptional to escape or ignore. So, how to identify your children are stressed out and what can be done to manage it.
In a few children stressors are evident and symptoms such as nervousness, fatigue or moodiness are common. Among few, there is no physical clue that they are under stress but their activities are witness (lower academic performance) to those changes.
There are some reasons in which stress emerges. Family conflicts, school activities, bullying, and peer pressure are some of the common stressors, which not only affect their mental health but physical health too.
How can one tell kids to manage their stress? Surprisingly many children may not be aware of their stressors or what is causing them trouble. So, let us understand the stressors and name them.
When children explain their activities, observe them and listen to their daily activities
Try to find out what is causing them a burden and find out what can be done. For instance when children talk about continuous co-curricular activities that make them tired and thus they are drowsy in the classroom. Let them decide which activity can be skipped or completed on alternative days.
Teach them stress management techniques
Once children are aware of the causes of stress, let them use management techniques. Deep breathing exercise is one of the most effective methods, where children understand scientifically how to inhale positive vibes and exhale the stressors. Other activities such as drawing, listening to music, singing or clay modelling are effective stress bursters.
Visualise the plus not the minus
Most of the time stress occurs by imagining the worst-case scenario before it could take place. Visualising the positive consequences will reduce the stress level. This helps during the examination and minimises exam fear.
Talk about it
One of the most essential skills, children need to learn is to openly talk about the stressors. This way they can keep the stress hat away, this way suicidal rates go down among youth as well as young children.
Stress can affect children to a higher level which end up falling into depression or resorting to suicide. So help children by providing a positive platform to share their views of their daily activities and also make sure they are not burdened with stressors. Let children enjoy their childhood while learning.
Image by Ri Butov
