Having a hectic timetable and facing pressure at work are some of the everyday stressors for parents. However, it’s important to consider that stress isn’t just restricted to grown-ups; kids may undergo stress too. A change in daily activities, expectations, interpersonal relationships, and conflicts are the common stressors for kids.
It can be challenging for kids to express their feelings since they experience stress differently from adults. Stress may be exposed in various forms of behavior, such as abrupt and unaccountable mood changes, misbehavior due to being unhappy or upset, and even poor sleep patterns. Additionally, stress may also cause unhealthy habits like overeating.
Regular physical activities can play a significant part in relieving stress and influencing the psychological health of your kids. Moreover, physical activities may also:
- Enhance your kids’ self-esteem
- Encourage social relations
- Enhance their sleep quality
There are different types of activities that are suitable for relieving stress; therefore, identify the best that’ll work both for you and your kids. Here are six examples of stress-relieving activities that you can try:
Aerobic Activities
Aerobic activities can be instrumental in relieving stress. Such activities will get your blood flowing, discharging chemicals that enhance your moods. The following are some of the best family-friendly aerobic activities you might want to consider:
- Bike rides
- Family hikes
- Rope jumping
If your schedule is packed, don’t stress out about dedicating a whole day for aerobic exercises. Just make sure your kids get at least an hour of physical activity daily. For instance, you can attempt a few star jumps during TV commercial gaps or enroll your kids in swimming lessons.
Stretching
To identify and release tautness in muscles, stretching plays a crucial role. Encourage your kids to do short stretches regularly. For instance, before going to bed, stretching can be helpful since it allows kids to unwind and gear up for sleep.
Here are some ideas of effective stress-relieving stretches for you and your kids:
- Toe touches
Ensure your back is completely straight, and then bend forward and try to touch your toes.
- Neck stretch
Slant your head to the right so that your right ear is close to your shoulder. Repeat on the left side.
- V-sit
Sit down on a flat surface with your legs stretched out, try to touch your toes on both sides, then stretch down the middle. Ensure your back is straight and assume each position for approximately 30 seconds.
Role-Playing
Today, kids have become busier with regard to their school schedules, activities, and expectations. More engagement in school is good for the kids, right? However, things might suddenly worsen when they start to develop signs of stress due to a lack of creative playtime. Allowing your kids engage in socially focused activities or games like role-playing may help build their social skills since their success both in school and in life significantly depends on how well they interact with others.
Take A Walk
People spend unhealthy amounts of time staring at the screens of their electronic gadgets. A lot of time spent on the screens can be overstimulating, especially for the kids, which can trigger more stress. Rather than spending hours on the screen, take a walk with your kids as much as possible. Discover a new hiking path or stroll within the neighborhood and take your time to bond together.
Gardening
You’ll be surprised at how your kids might fall in love with gardening. During the day, dedicate time for planting some vegetables. If you don’t have enough space, use the empty containers and place them in your garage. Discuss with your kids the process of photosynthesis or the importance of green vegetables on their health. Talk to them about bugs that eat plants.
If it’s during the winter season, a vessel garden inside the house would be a perfect activity. Treat it as a science assignment by recording the height of each plant every day or calculating how long it’ll take for them to mature.
Painting
When it comes to painting, the list of fun options for you and your kids is endless. Small children can use watercolors while the older kids can paint on canvas using oil paint. If you or your kids don’t enjoy painting pictures, there are other options available. How does painting the garage door or identifying a room or furniture that could use a fresh look sound to you? The repetitive nature of such an activity can put all of you in a reflective mood. This means you don’t have to worry about the many things you have to do; you’ll be just focusing on the present.
Conclusion
As a parent, it’s vital to remember that kids might not always recognize when they’re stressed. Therefore, teach your kids how to identify feelings of stress and show them some of the healthy approaches to muddle through. You may consider doing the activities mentioned above to help them cope with stress and establish a stronger bond with them as well.
