Helpful Strategies for Reducing Stress in Children

Children encounter stress from a variety of sources in their lives. For example, children may feel academic or social stress, or they may feel stress from the pressures they put on themselves to achieve.  When a family member experiences an illness such as cancer, this can be an additional source of stress that children deal with. They may feel that there are increased responsibilities placed on them to help care for younger siblings or to complete chores in the house, or they may feel additional worries about their parent’s illness.

Because of the many source of stress that children can potentially be exposed to, it is important to know about helpful strategies for reducing their stress.

1)    Children should get plenty of sleep.

2)    Children should get some form of exercise every day.

3)    Children should eat a healthy diet.

4)    Children should have time every day to be a child and play.

5)    Children should learn and practice relaxation techniques.

6)    Encourage children to ask for help.

7)    Encourage children to communicate their feelings.

8)    Provide children with healthy and positive coping outlets (such as athletic activities or other hobbies they enjoy).

9)    Be realistic in the demands and expectations you are placing on your child, and try to ensure they do not feel overburdened.

10) Help children identify sources of support in their lives (family members, teachers, coaches etc) that they can talk to about their feelings and worries.

For more information please contact Betsy Rubenstein at brubenstein@wellnesshouse.org or by phone at 630-654-5118