Well-Being
• Limit or avoid caffeine-contain- ing foods and beverages. • Encourage daily, age-appropri- ate exercise, as physical activity is known to counter the negative effects of stress. • Make sleep a priority for your child. Getting the right amount of sleep each night is a great defense against stress.
Getting the right amount of sleep each night is a great defense against stress
MAIN COURSE • Teach your child some simple relaxation techniques to use daily to diffuse stress. Deep breathing, counting to ten, and repeating phrases such as “I’m ok” or “It’s alright” can actu- ally help your child through the tense times. • Let your child know that it’s ok to talk with you or a trusted adult, such as her teacher, if she’s having a bad day. • Don’t hesitate to use a little humor to break tension from time to time. Remember that laughter — a natural stress-buster — really can be the best medicine. • Help your child prioritize activities and assign- ments that are most important, and possibly eliminate those that are not. For example, if an after-school sport or club is on her schedule ev- ery day, but she is having trouble completing her homework every night, help her pick something that’s ok to let go. Our over-scheduled kids need to know that they are going to have fun and be successful even if they don’t “do it all!” • Teach your child to be more fl exible, and let him know that it’s ok to adjust his schedule, after-school time and life, to reduce stress. Remember: Even the branches of the strongest trees are designed to bend so they don’t break.
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TAKE-OUT OPTIONS If you have tried the strategies above, but your child still seems to be in over his head, he may be experiencing distress, and it may be time to consider getting professional help. Speak with your child’s health care provider if: • Stress is interfering with his daily functions, including school, play and friends. • He is having diffi culty managing anger, or is experiencing increased outbursts. • He seems more tired, overwhelmed or irritable than usual. • He is engaging in risk-taking behavior, such as experimenting with alcohol. These may be signs of a serious form of
stress, and your child should be evaluated to get the help he needs. Remember that you — the parent — are the
most important factor in helping your child to manage stress. Your love, support and encour- agement are key to his coping successfully with life’s challenging moments.
Patti Lucarelli, MSN, CPNP, APN, RN-BC, PMHS, is a PNP at the Jane H. Booker Family Health Center, Jersey Shore University Medical Center, Neptune, NJ. She is also Chair of the Ready, Set, Grow Editorial Board.
www.readysetgrowmag.com
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