Helping Your Child to Manage Stress During Pandemic

As the epidemic continues, you may discover that your child's stress levels have increased and not the other way around. Aside from all of the changes and interruptions that children face at a young age, the dread of the unknown can cause stress. Children may react to stress in a variety of ways, including being more clingy, worried, withdrawn, angry, or irritated. During tough circumstances, they require the affection and care of adults.

Give Extra Hugs: When children are anxious or sad, it is comforting to know that they are unconditionally loved. As a result, make sure you give them lots of hugs and tell them that you care. Remember that being restricted in what they can and cannot do may be quite upsetting. Even though what they are going through is distressing, knowing that they are loved despite it all may be comforting and reassuring.

Addressing Fears: Talk to your children about any scary news they may have heard. It's fine to remark that individuals are becoming sick, but remind them that taking precautions can help. Recognize and acknowledge your child's emotions. Keeping in touch with loved ones might provide them peace of mind that they and those dear to them are safe. Children will constantly strive to copy you, so discuss how you handle your own emotions.

Maintain a Regular Pattern: While developing a routine may appear to be a straightforward answer, research has connected routines to social and academic success. Routines, furthermore, can help to create resilience in times of disaster. Establish new daily schedules now that your typical habits have been thrown off. When feasible, take a break from academics. During stressful times, children often have more difficulty going to bed. For younger children, try to preserve regular nightly habits such as Book, Brush, and Bed. Place a family photo next to their bed for "added affection" till morning. Bedtimes for older children and teenagers might vary, but it's best to maintain them within a normal range. So the sleep-wake cycle isn't disrupted.

Be Realistic About Their Performance: COVID-19 has wreaked havoc on education more than anything else. With little preparation, children have been forced into online learning settings. Make sure you're not placing too much pressure on your children to achieve the same level of accomplishment they did before the outbreak. Although many of the stresses that youngsters experience can be reduced by keeping their attention focused on certain projects. You may organize their fun, give responsibilities, or ask them to make something. Their minds might become hyper-focused on stimuli around them, which can be beneficial or harmful. Request that they produce art, build a birdhouse, clean the home, or write a message of gratitude to a caregiver.

Encourage a Growth Mindset: While it's vital to recognize that the epidemic has brought many obstacles and frustrations, you and your kid don't have to live with them. Instead, urge your youngster to approach the epidemic with a development perspective. Ask them to search for things they've learned or ways they've progressed.

Bad Habits can be Redirected and Discussed: Parents should pay greater attention to their children's emotional well-being. Because the pandemic isn't over yet, continue to emphasize COVID-19 precautions like wearing a mask, social separation, and frequent hand washing. Also, under the supervision of their parents, children should be encouraged to use internet forums to socialize with their peers and classmates.

Conclusion: Kids turn to their parents for guidance on how to react in various situations. As a result, make sure you're efficiently controlling your stress levels. Demonstrate stress management techniques such as mindfulness, exercise, breathing exercises, and a nutritious diet. We're all new to this, and we're all learning as we go. Be gentle to yourself and forgive yourself if you make errors. You can inform your children that COVID-19 will not persist indefinitely. It is a team effort for all of us.