Self-care is more than just a buzzword that gets thrown around. It’s actually a crucial component of mental health, especially if you struggle with stress, depression, or anxiety.
While self-care is crucial for adults, it’s also important for kids to understand what it is and how they can practice it from a young age.
Children aren’t immune to stress. Now, thanks to the impact of COVID-19, some researchers are already concerned about the long-term mental health effects that pandemic will have on children.
So, how can you teach your child good self-care habits now? It’s easier than you might think once you talk with them about their needs. Getting them into the habit of self-care will stick with them into adulthood and help them in handling life’s toughest situations.
With that in mind, let’s look at a few practical ways to teach your child how to put self-care into practice.
Taking Care of Their Physical Health
It’s important for kids to learn how to take care of their bodies from a young age. That means establishing healthy habits, rather than letting them fall into the trap of how society thinks they should look.
Thankfully, it’s easy for most kids to take care of their physical health when they play. Go for walks together, or toss a ball around in the front yard. Have a dance party in the living room. Let your child cook dinner with you so they understand how good it is to nourish their bodies properly.
By teaching your child to care for their body, you can help with their self-esteem and confidence as they get older, and they’re more likely to make physical health a priority.
Teaching Them to Unplug
It’s no secret that most kids are glued to a screen these days. Even if you try to monitor their electronics, kids use smartphones and tablets more than ever before.
It’s so important to make sure they know how to take time away from technology. So encourage breaks throughout the day. Maybe it’s ten minutes of getting outside, playing a game, baking cookies, or just having a conversation.
Technology is great. But stepping away from it periodically is a good habit for everyone to get into.
Turning Habits Into a Routine
One of the best ways to teach your child good self-care habits is to turn those habits into a routine. Set an example through your own routine and make sure the whole family is on board.
While routines look different for everyone, establishing one together can determine what’s best for your entire family. That might include going to bed at the same time each night, having some “wind-down” time in the afternoon, or creating a structure around mealtimes.
Many studies have shown that kids thrive on routine. It gives them a sense of comfort and stability. But, when your daily family routine also promotes healthy habits, they will become second nature to your child. Self-care will become a part of their life without them even really realizing it.
You know your child better than anyone. By teaching them self-care habits based on what they need, they won’t have to “re-learn” them as they get older. Imagine how much easier it would have been if you knew about self-care when you were younger!
These habits can leave a lasting impact on your little one. If more parents made self-care a priority for their children, the next generation may be more equipped to deal with the stress and anxiety of everyday life. So, consider your child’s needs and how they can benefit from different forms of self-care. You’ll love to see the benefits when they start including these habits in their routine.
For more information on how play therapy can help your children develop healthy self-care routines, please contact us and speak with one of our professionals.