14/04/2024
Anxiety manifests differently in kids than it does in adults. But, most adults with Anxiety actually had anxiety as kids too, perhaps they remained undiagnosed.
If your kid is usually scared of new things, hates change, has trouble socialising, has an unreasonable fear of consequence, then chances are that the child is anxious. Here's what I tell my little patients and their parents to overcome anxiety!👇🏼
1. TALK ABOUT YOUR FEAR- I encourage the kids to talk about what scares them and as the parents to do the same. Once the kid starts exploring the unknown fear, it gets easier to navigate the fear and eventually overcome it.🫂
2. BREATHING EXERCISES- Breathing exercises can be extremely useful for all age groups to feel calmer.💕
3. EXPLORE THE FEAR- Anxiety stems from the fear of unknown, encouraging and supporting a child to explore what scares them helps them see it's not that bad. For instance if a kid is anxious about dogs, they can start by interacting with one puppy to familiarise and eventually work their way up to dogs. 🚀
4. WRITE A JOURNAL- A journal is a great tool for accountability, teaching kids to journal at a young age prepares them to be truly accountable to themselves. 🌷
5. ENCOURAGING OUTDOOR STIMULATION- Kids these days are restricted to their homes and screens, resulting in a very isolated environment. Going outdoors doesn't only decrease screen time, it also stimulates the different sensory organs, making the kid more curious and adventurous... a direct antidote to anxiety!💯
Remember, a kid is like clay, the way you shape them greatly affects how strong, steady, and endurant they will be as adults. It is important for kids to grow in encouraging and supportive environments. Talk to a therapist if you feel like you need added guidance or help.
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