Dealing with anxiety can be a major challenge for adults, so it’s understandable that it could be even more difficult for children to manage. As their life experiences are fairly limited, they may not have coped effectively during overwhelming emotional episodes yet.
Anxiety manifests in many ways when it comes to kids, like avoidance of certain situations, being overly attached, or experiencing timidity around unfamiliar social settings. So it is on us as parents to provide guidance and support for our young ones who are learning how to manage their anxiousness.
Fortunately, there are some helpful and effective tips you can use to do your bit and empower your child! Here are six useful ideas that might just change the game:
Encourage Relaxation
Stress and anxiety can feel very overwhelming for children, and they may find it challenging to calm down. This is where relaxation techniques come in handy. Encouraging your child to take deep breaths, and focus on their senses can help them relax.
You can also set aside specific times of the day for them to practice relaxation techniques like mindfulness and meditation.
Talk Openly About Their Feelings
It’s important to allow your child to express their emotions without fear of judgement. Encourage them to speak openly and listen to them intently when they do.
Try to validate their feelings and let them know that it’s okay to feel anxious sometimes. When your child trusts you enough to open up, it can help build stronger parent-child bonds.
Consider Outpatient Treatment
If your child’s anxiety is too severe to handle through relaxation and open conversation, it may be time to consider Intensive Outpatient Treatment (IOP). This program can help identify the triggers of anxiety and teach them effective coping mechanisms to manage it better.
It offers a structured environment where therapists provide support and guidance to your child.
Provide Them with Support
Supporting your child through their anxiety can be challenging as a parent, especially if you’re dealing with your stress. Being available to talk when they need it, providing words of encouragement, and being their positive cheerleader can significantly help.
Also, creating a strong support network of family and friends they trust can provide an additional lifeline of assistance.
Look into Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy
Ketamine Assisted Psychotherapy (KAP) is an experimental treatment that aims to reduce anxiety and depression. The treatment involves being given a low dose of ketamine under medical supervision while undergoing psychotherapy.
While still undergoing clinical trials, many have reported success in treating anxiety with KAP.
Foster Self-Awareness
Help your child become self-aware by teaching them healthy coping skills and self-care strategies they can practice. Engage them in activities such as journaling, setting goals, and practicing yoga/meditation.
These self-care techniques can help them become more aware of their emotions and learn how to regulate them independently.
Conclusion
Children can experience anxiety due to their limited life experience and lack of coping mechanisms. As a parent, your role is to provide support and guidance through their anxiety. Being available and providing support is crucial, as is teaching self-awareness and healthy coping skills.
With patience, understanding, and a bit of effort, we can help our children overcome their anxiety and build a stronger foundation for their emotional well-being.