During these uncertain times, it comes as no surprise that we are all experiencing higher levels of stress. And these increased feelings of stress and anxiety do not affect just adults, but children as well. While children may not experience the same everyday stressors that adults face, they can still experience ongoing stress through their personal situations and changes to their normal routines (a.k.a. back to school 2020). Learn some easy ways that you can help your children cope with stress and discover some herbal supplements that can provide them with additional support, if needed.*
4 Ways to Help Your Children Feel Calm & Less Stressed
Create a Calm Morning Atmosphere
Mornings set the mood for the whole day, and if it starts out stressful, then those feelings can resonate throughout the rest of the day. The key to a calm morning is a structured routine: one that children can anticipate and prepare for ahead of time. As young observers, children learn from watching your behavior and actions. Help them learn how to create a calm morning environment by providing an example of what a positive, well-organized routine looks like. This way, your mornings will also remain calm and structured while you are helping your children learn valuable skills for their future.1
This can be easy and fun. Have your kids choose and lay out their outfits in advance to prevent scrambling in the morning. Or, decide together in the evening what to eat for breakfast the next day to avoid additional morning stress.
Promote Playtime
Encouraging kids to be kids is a great way to help them reduce stress and feelings of anxiousness. When the weather is nice outside, encourage your children to explore the beauty of Nature with a scavenger hunt. Here are a few other ways that you can nurture your child's love for Nature. And on rainy days, you can still enjoy playtime indoors by encouraging your kids to build a fort, put a puzzle together, or play a board game.
Set A Sleep Schedule
Stress and sleep are closely connected. Stress can adversely affect sleep quality, while insufficient sleep can increase stress levels and cause irritability. Both stress and a lack of sleep can lead to lasting health problems, while on the flip side, healthy sleep can enhance well-being and help you maintain good health.
Most people do not get enough sleep, and this includes children. Establishing a set sleep schedule for your children will help ensure that they are getting enough quality sleep. Depending on their age, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children get between 8-13 hours of sleep per day.3 Keeping televisions and gaming devices out of your kids' rooms can help ensure better quality sleep and also reduce their exposure to blue light, which can potentially throw off the body's natural circadian rhythms.
Pay Attention to the Positive
Rather than having your child focus on the negative of a situation, redirect them to think on the positive side. Like adults, moments of negativity can fester and can then be all that your child will focus on. Help them look for the positive in every situation, as this will help them view the world in a more positive light as they grow older.2
“You can’t make positive choices for the rest of your life without an environment that makes those choices easy, natural, and enjoyable.” — Deepak Chopra
Natural, Plant-Based Stress Support Supplements for Children*
In addition to the tips above, incorporating herbs in your children's daily routines can also provide the extra support that your kids may need to cope with stress during these challenging times.*
GaiaKids® Calm Support
Like adults, children experience stress when big moments happen in life. These could include the start of a new school year, the birth of a brother or sister, or even the remarriage of a parent. If your kids are feeling tense or jittery lately, GaiaKids® Calm Support may be able to help them relax and unwind.* Developed by a Pediatric Naturopath, this great-tasting extract features a blend of herbs traditionally used to support a sense of calm including California Poppy, Lavender, Passionflower, Vervain, and Gaia-grown® Lemon Balm and Skullcap.*
GaiaKids® Focus
Do you have a child who has trouble focusing? It’s a common challenge that affects many children. Developed by a Pediatric Naturopath, GaiaKids® Focus combines Gotu Kola with a relaxing blend of Chamomile, Lemon Balm, Passionflower, and Gaia-grown Milky Oats and American Skullcap. This formula offers great-tasting cognitive support that helps your kids maintain mental focus and concentration.*
GaiaKids® Tummy Tonic
Stress doesn't just affect the mind; it also affects the digestive system, and more specifically, the stomach. If your child experiences an unsettled stomach due to occasional stress, our doctor-formulated GaiaKids® Tummy Tonic may be able to help. This great-tasting formula was developed using traditional herbal wisdom and contains a blend of soothing herbs including Chamomile, Fennel seed, Spearmint, Catnip, Ginger, and Gaia-grown Lemon Balm. This herbal combination helps calm an upset or distressed stomach and supports comfortable digestion.*
Herbal Support You Can Feel Good About
Our entire GaiaKids® line provides natural plant-based support that you can feel good about giving to your kids. Many of the formulas in our GaiaKids line were developed by Dr. Mary Bove, a well-respected Pediatric Naturopath and the author of An Encyclopedia of Natural Healing for Children & Infants. We also do not use any artificial sweeteners, corn syrup, colors, or added flavors in our herbal extracts and our formulas are vegan, dairy-free, gluten-free, and soy-free. And as a reflection of our commitment to protecting the planet, our entire GaiaKids line uses eco-friendly, recyclable glass for its packaging.
Creating Peace During Stressful Times
Learning effective tools to handle stress is a skill that your children can use to help them now and as they grow older. Using the tips above, as well as incorporating herbs into your children's' wellness routines, can help them overcome worry and occasional anxiousness so they can lead a happier, well-balanced life.*