Parenting is not easy, and often, tough decisions must be taken. While you want to find the best school for your child and provide him the best education and care, it is important to check if they are stressed. Stress level in kids and teenagers is alarmingly high, and unfortunately, many parents fail to notice the same. With help of educators, counselors, and stress management strategies, it is possible to help your child in time.

Why is your child stressed?

Words like anxiety and depression are often used in context of adults, but it is hard to know that your child is going through stress or is feeling low and sad. More often than not, it is about pressure to perform well at school, and there is also a constant environment of competition that’s not necessarily healthy. Other factors like maturity, age, problems in the family, issues with friends, and financial aspects may have a role in causing stress. Sometimes, just the lack of emotional support and safety can cause depression in kids.

What are the best stress reduction strategies?

• Ensure that your child is getting enough sleep, regardless of age and class. Also, ensure that they have a bedtime ritual.

• Your child shouldn’t feel obligated to perform or do something productive all the time. Talk or play with the child, but don’t get them addicted to television.

• Coping skills. One of the best stress reduction strategies for students is to use coping skills in the right manner. Teach them the basics of deep breathing, ensure that they are compassionate to animals, or just encourage them to do things that don’t let the mind focus on stress and anxiety.

• Help with priorities. Make sure that your child is not overwhelmed with homework. Many parents are now opting for charter schools, because these schools don’t merely focus on education, but also on personality development. Allow your child to understand priorities, and help them with time management.

• Provide a safe environment. Eventually, a child spends most of his/her time at home, and it is important to provide them a safe environment, where they can thrive and be themselves. Ensure that you talk regularly about life in general, and let them know that it’s okay to fail at times.

Finally, let’s not undermine the role of healthy diet and activity routine. Kids after the age of six can have some form of exercise in their daily routine.