In a year dominated by a global pandemic, I have seen an increase in the number and frequency of webinars targeting professionals about the importance of self-care and personal wellness.
But what
about the children?
The stress
experienced by our children, especially those children who have ADHD, anxiety, and
learning disorders, is hard to measure because kids don’t talk about their
feelings. When parents are glued to the
news, what about the children? How do
children react to daily news about growing COVID-19 cases and deaths? How do kids
react to the often-sudden changes of school on, school off, school virtual, and
learning from a computer screen on their kitchen table instead of in a
classroom with a teacher and classmates?
What we see
is kids’ grades falling. Kids are not
sleeping. Kids are withdrawn. Kids are not having social interactions with
other kids in the classroom and the playground.
What will
the long-term consequences be on the physical and mental health of
children? What are the short-term
consequences?
We must be good stewards of children’s health. We must be vigilant in ensuring we communicate with our children. We must be aware of cues that kids may be experiencing stress, anxiety, or depression.
What can parents do if they think their child is experiencing stress and anxiety? Here are 5 tips:
- Make healthy meals and snacks.
- Don't buy junk food. Avoid food dyes, preservatives, sugars, and refined grains.
- Have family dinners and ask your kids about their day.
- Talk with your children every day and tell them you love them.
- Seek help from mental health professionals whenever you need help.
With love,
Nancy
Heinrich, MPH
Founder and
Wellness Architect
Growing
Healthy Kids, Inc.
