Psychologist Yulia Vatutina told how to help a child cope with stress

Stress is an inevitable part of everyone's life, including children.

However, unlike adults, children do not always know how to cope with stress. That is why it is important to help the child learn to manage their emotions and experiences.

In this article, psychologist-psychotherapist and coach Yulia Vatutina will tell you how to help a child cope with stress.

Causes of stress in children

Stress in children can occur for various reasons:

1. School problems – for example, difficult course material or conflicts with classmates.
2. Family problems – for example, parents’ divorce or conflicts within the family.
3. Health - for example, illness or injury, as well as heavy loads.
4. New situations – such as moving or visiting a new place.
5. Loss of a loved one.

It is important to remember that a child is not always ready to share his emotional experiences with parents or relatives.

Therefore, situations are common in families when adults simply do not understand that the child is experiencing stress. Talk to him more often, try to immerse yourself more in the life and problems of your child

And also pay attention to behavior - there are specific signs that will tell you about stress.

How to understand that a child is experiencing stress

A child may not know how to describe their emotions and experiences, so it is not always easy to understand that they are experiencing stress. Here are some signs to look out for:

1. Changes in behavior – for example, the child may become more irritable or, conversely, withdrawn.
2. Changes in appetite – the child may stop eating or, conversely, start eating more.
3. Sleep problems – the child may begin to wake up at night or have frequent nightmares.
4. Physical symptoms – such as headache or stomach pain.

If you suspect that your baby is stressed and there are signs that indicate this, do not put pressure on him under any circumstances. Remember that he needs your support and attention.

Try to get closer to your child and provide any help you can so that he can cope with stress.

How to help your child cope with stress

1. Talk to your child. Ask your child what is bothering him and how you can help him. Let him know that you are ready to listen to him and support him in any situation.

2. Create a daily routine. The child needs to know what is happening in his life and what he can expect from each day. Creating a daily routine will help him feel more confident and control his emotions.

3. Help your child relax. Relaxation is an important part of stress management. Try teaching your child relaxation techniques, such as deep breathing or yoga.

4. Spend time together. Spending time together will help strengthen the bond between you and your child and give him the opportunity to express his emotions.

5. Find appropriate activities. Help your child find activities that he enjoys and that will help him cope with stress. This could be playing sports, creative activities, or reading books.

6. Seek professional help. If your child's stress becomes too severe or lasts too long, seek help from a psychologist or pediatrician.

7. Do special relaxation exercises. Relaxation exercises can help your child cope with stress and reduce tension in the body.

For example, you can try the following exercises:

• Deep breathing: Ask your child to sit or lie still and breathe in slowly through the nose, holding the breath for a few seconds, and then breathe out slowly through the mouth. Repeat several times.
• Progressive muscle relaxation: Ask your child to tense and then relax each muscle group in the body, starting with the legs and ending with the face.
• Visualization: Ask your child to imagine a calm place, such as a forest or a beach, and to picture themselves there, feeling calm and peaceful.

These exercises can be done with your child or taught to do independently. They will help him cope with stress and reduce tension in the body.

Finally, remember that helping your child cope with stress is an important task for every parent.

Find time to communicate with your child, create a daily routine, teach them relaxation techniques, and choose appropriate activities. This will help your child become more confident and control their emotions in any situation.