Be Proactive:
Stress Proof your Kids
1) Learn to manage your stress. Kids not only model after us, they are also intuitive and can sense when we are stressed. As a certified yoga instructor and strategy coach, I help my students and clients relieve tension and anxiety, on the mat and on the phone, in individual or group coaching programs. These group coaching programs are particularly unique in that they include stress relief strategies, breathing techniques and empowering visualizations and each call features an inspiring theme. There is also something very magical that occurs when you connect to and feel supported by like-minded individuals. The insights gained by tapping into the collective wisdom of the group are invaluable.
2) Make time to engage with your kids. Busy as we are, even half an hour a day to connect, play, and listen attentively is essential and provides security and support, reinforces rapport and keeps communication lines open.
3) Encourage your kids to regularly engage in a creative outlet. When your child plays an instrument, writes stories, draws or engages in a craft, these activities will be fulfilling, calming and therapeutic in nature.
4) Going for a walk together and participating in a family yoga class are excellent ways for you and your kids to be active, reduce stress and enjoy quality time together. As well as improving fitness, my Coga Yoga™ classes go further offering strategies for dealing with stress anytime, anywhere and aim to enhance self appreciation. These classes also include inspirational content with the understanding that when the body is relaxed, the mind is more open to receiving positive messages.
5) Limit your child’s screen time. Easier to say then do, but especially while they’re young, it is important to help your kids not become dependant on this stimulation and distraction. As they get older, it’s important to help them discern quality as compared to junky or negative input.
6) Teach your kids ways that they can relieve stress and, when they need to, explore together what will help them to calm down. I used to have my daughter do ten ‘joyful jumping jacks’ at her pre-school entrance before giving me a quick hug and running into class. This helped clear those butterflies that proceeded tearful good-byes. Or, they can imagine breathing in a calm colour and blowing out tension. With older kids, grounding is a useful technique that is described in a previous blog. Another good practice is to regularly reflect on ways in which you could have both better handled a recent ‘falling out’.
7) Have structure and agreements in place. If there are routines and roles that every family member can follow, many battles can be eliminated. Every week you can have a family meeting and review what’s working, what isn’t and discuss how to make the home environment a more harmonious one.
