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Stress and Anxiety

Stress is our body's way of telling us that we are experiencing something demanding or difficult. Sometimes, stress can be helpful (i.e. a deadline that helps us to get something done, or starting a new job or school). However, if a person experiences too much stress for too long, it can have adverse effects on the body, and can make us sick. Here are some ways to help your child with stress.
  1. Make sure the child is getting plenty of rest. 
  2. Talk with your child to help them identify what is bothering them. Often parents or caregivers have no idea that a child is worried about something that they identify is causing them great stress. 
  3. Manage your own stress. Many times kids will pick up on how we are feeling, and will mimic our own actions.
  4. Create predictable routines that will ease times that tend to be stressful in households (such as laying out clothes the night before, having a routine of what is done when they come home from school, etc.)
  5. Make sure that they are not over scheduled. Many families are involved in so many activities (that the child loves, and asks to do) but they may be too much for some children.
  6. Make sure they have time to play. Children learn and make sense of the world through play. Ensuring that there is built in time for play can help them cope with stressful situations. 
  7. Ask for help if they need it. Teach your children how to handle stressful situations, and that sometimes they may need to ask for help. Your school counselors and school social worker are here for you!