People are often quick to jump to the conclusion that it is adults who suffer the most from anxiety, but children too can suffer just as much. All you have to do is take a look at this past year of living through a pandemic where schools have been closed, then opened, with some having to close back up again soon after. Children’s lives have been turned completely upside down and even those who may not regularly suffer from anxiety may be feeling it right now.
As a parent, the worst thing you can do is ignore or sweep their anxiety under the rug, just hoping it will work itself out. So, let’s take a look at some of the ways you can help your child to cope with a mild form of anxiety.
Make an Appointment with Their Doctor
Rather than try to guess what the best approach is, and what the source of their anxiety is, it’s best to schedule an appointment with your child’s doctor. At the very least, their doctor needs to be kept in the loop, but they will also be able to offer advice on the best steps to take.
Listen to Them When They Discuss How They Feel
It’s also very important to be supportive and understanding of what they are feeling and what they are going through – both mentally and physically. Ask your child how they are feeling and really listen and support them. Ignoring the problem doesn’t make it disappear.
You Can’t Avoid All Stressors and Triggers
It’s also very natural for parents to want to avoid and eliminate all potential triggers that will spark anxiety in their child, but this isn’t exactly helpful. Instead, it’s important to face those anxious triggers and moments head on, and together, so that it helps them to overcome their anxiety and learn how to cope. This will help them in life as they can use those coping techniques to help reduce anxiety in general. Of course, this doesn’t mean you should put them in a dangerous or harmful situation.
Give CBD Products a Try
You may also want to look into CBD products as there have been studies conducted on how CBD oil might be able to help with anxiety in kids, and potentially help to alleviate some of what they are feeling. It may even help with insomnia, which can be triggered by anxiety. You can check out companies like Herbal Health CBD to get an idea of what products exist in the CBD market.
Lead by Example
The final tip for parents is to lead by example. Kids look to you in all kinds of situations in life, even if you’re not aware of it. The way you react to stressful situations will model to them how they should react. If you stay calm and positive and don’t allow stress to take over, then this will act as a lesson for them.
The good news is that if your child suffers from mild anxiety, there are coping techniques you can use that can offer real and great results.
Dr. Declan Pouros
A senior academic researcher, reviewer, and editor, Dr. Declan Pouros is also an internationally accredited psychotherapist. He earned his PhD in Psychological Counseling and Guidance, and in the years since, he has taught in the Department of Psychological Counseling and Guidance himself.He has also authored papers that have gone on to appear in such world-renowned journals as the European Journal of Psychological Assessment, Psychological Reports, the Scandinavian Journal of Psychology. Asia Pacific Psychiatry, and Computers in Human Behaviour.
