Dancing in the Rain – A Parents’ Guide to Help Your Kids Manage Stress During COVID-19

Dancing in the Rain – A Parents’ Guide to Help Your Kids Manage Stress During COVID-19

When are we going back to school?

Why can’t we go?

What’s that? Cora…What did you call it?

What’s gonna happen, again?

Wait WHAT?

Oh, I can only imagine the conversations going on in your household. Our precious children are so used to their school routine, seeing teachers and friends, and playing during recess. Now all of a sudden, a LOT has change! They are likely wondering when will this end or why can’t they have playdates with their friends. I have to admit, it’s a lot to take in. On top of this, we have to be conscious of how we are handling stress. They are watching us. It’s true that our children base many of their reaction to event off of the way we respond to similar stressors. How are we managing our stress? I have written another article that you might find helpful, How to Keep Your Joy in Times of Distress. 

Keeping in mind that all kids may not respond to stress in the same way, the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) published a list of changes to watch for in our children:

Returning to behaviors they have outgrown (for example, toileting accidents or bedwetting)	Excessive crying or irritation in younger children
Excessive worry or sadness	Unexplained headaches or body pain
Unhealthy eating or sleeping habits	Difficulty with attention and concentration
Irritability and “acting out” behaviors in teens	Avoidance of activities enjoyed in the past
*Avoiding following homeschool expectations	*Modified to reflect status since school closures.

There are many things you can do to support your child (from CDC)

• Take time to talk with your child about the COVID-19 outbreak. Answer questions and share facts about COVID-19 in a way that your child can understand.
• Reassure your child or teen that they are safe. Let them know it is ok if they feel upset. Share with them how you deal with your own stress so that they can learn how to cope from you.
• Limit your family’s exposure to news coverage of the event, including social media. Children may misinterpret what they hear and can be frightened about something they do not understand.
• Try to keep up with regular routines. If schools are closed, create a schedule for learning activities and relaxing or fun activities.
• Be a role model.  Take breaks, get plenty of sleep, exercise, and eat well. Connect with your friends and family members.

I would add LIMITING YOUR CHILD’S TIME ON ELECTRONIC DEVICES. Some kids would rather escape from this reality by playing more online games.  As a result, they risk becoming a “GLOW KID,” addicted to the screen. Due to school closure, we are forced to use this technology for now. Just be sure to monitor and LIMIT excessive exposure. 

I hope you find these strategies helpful.

Dance in the Rain: How to keep your JOY in times of Distress

A Few Tips to Manage Your Stress and Keep Smiling

In a time, when the news of the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to change the way we think about living, it is easy to imagine the worst things to come.  Our emotions may become overwhelmed with worry and fear. If we are not careful, anxiety and depression may seek to attack our hope and leave us in despair. In addition to following all the precautions for social distancing and hand washing, here are a few tips that you can use to help manage your stress.

1)     Rest Your Mind and Body – Since we are limited on going many places, take this time to rest. Try relaxing your body by taking deep breaths through your nose and letting it out slowing through your mouth. Let your mind focus on your breathing. If a worrisome thought interrupts your peace, let it float right back out and just keep BREATHING.  Stretching, exercising and eating a well-balanced diet are also great ideas to stay healthy.

2)    Rejuvenate Your Youth – Rather than scrolling constantly through social media updates, watching, reading, and listening to news stories all day, take a break and do something that brought you joy when you were younger. Draw, color, play jacks, badminton, sing, dance, or try teaching the kids how to hopscotch. These “feel-good” activities are sure to combat anxiety, bring laughter, and connect you with the ones you love.

3)    Re-connect with family and friends – When was the last time you talked with your childhood friend or chatted with an elderly relative or neighbor. Scroll through your phone and connect.  Encourage one another. If they start to bring your mood down, use this final tip to stay positive.

4)    Replace Worry with Positive Thoughts - Worrying leads to anxiety because we tend to overthink, re-think, and think again on things that have happened or things we fear will come to pass. Did you know that we can CHOOSE THE THINGS WE THINK ABOUT? If worrying makes us feel bad, then replace it with a POSITIVE thought. Try it! When a negative worry tries to attack your mind; immediately replace it with gratitude or something positive and see if your mood changes.

5)    Re-energize with Laughter – Haven’t you heard, “Laughter is Good Medicine?” It’s true! Laughing releases endorphins, or “happy chemicals” in our brain, that reduces pain, boosts our immune system, fights stress and restores our energy. Each day, try to plan a time to do something you enjoy and let yourself laugh out loud. If there doesn’t seem to be anything joyful going on…SMILE anyway!  You’ll be amazed at how you feel.  

Hopefully, you will find this handful of strategies helpful. Should you find that you are more distressed and having a more difficult time coping, remember it is okay to talk with professionals who are trained to help. Right now, many mental health professionals are offering tele-mental health services, which means you can receive counseling from the comfort of your own home using your phone or computer. Contact your insurance company to find a provider in your network. If someone is in a crisis, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-374-8255 (TALK).  

Just keep smiling!

A "Handful" of Tips to Manage Stress and Keep the Faith Amid COVID-19

Reigning in the Storm:  Equipping Saints to Address Mental Health

Last night, a friend posted an old familiar song on his Facebook page, “Time is filled with swift transition. Naught of earth unmoved can stand. Build your hopes on things eternal. Hold to God's unchanging hand.” In a time, when the news of the COVID-19 pandemic forces us to change the way we think about living, it is easy to imagine the worst things to come.  Our emotions may become overwhelmed with worry and fear. If we are not careful, anxiety and depression will seek to attack our hope and leave us in despair. But God!  We may not know what the future holds, but we know who holds the future. 

In addition to following all the precautions for social distancing and hand washing, here are Five “R’s” that you can use to help manage your stress and remain mentally and spiritually strong.

1)     Rest Your Mind and Body – Since we are limited on going many places, take this time to rest. Try relaxing your body by taking deep breaths through your nose and letting it out slowing through your mouth. Let your mind focus on your breathing. If a worrisome thought interrupts your peace, let it float right back out and just keep BREATHING.  Stretching, exercising and eating a well-balanced diet are also best practices at this time.

2)    Rejuvenate Your Youth – Rather than scrolling constantly through social media updates, watching, reading, and listening to news stories all day, take a break and do something that brought you joy when you were younger. Draw, color, play jacks, badminton, sing, dance, or try teaching the kids how to hopscotch. These “feel-good” activities are sure to combat anxiety, bring laughter, and connect you with the ones you love.

3)    Re-connect with family and friends – When was the last time you talked with your childhood friend or chatted with an elderly relative or neighbor. Scroll through your phone and connect.  Encourage one another. If they start to bring your mood down, use this final tip to stay positive.

4)    Replace Worry with Meditation - Worrying leads to anxiety because we tend to overthink, re-think, and think again on things that have happened or things we fear will come to pass. 2 Corinthians 10:5 reminds us to take every thought captive. Just as the nudge of worry begins, try using the Word of God (scripture) and meditate on His promises – basically replace the fear with faith.

5)    Renew Your Faith - To be effective at replacing our fear with faith, we must take time to read and study God’s Word; and pray and commune with Him. Every day, we will grow stronger as our faith is renewed. 

Prayerfully, you will find this handful of strategies helpful. Should you find that you are more distressed and having a more difficult time coping, remember it is okay for Christians to talk with professionals who are trained to help. Right now, many mental health professionals are offering tele-mental health services, which means you can receive counseling from the comfort of your own home using your phone or computer. What is more exciting is this service is covered by most insurances. Contact your insurance company to find a provider in your network. If someone is in a crisis, call the National Suicide Hotline at 1-800-374-8255 (TALK).  May we all be encouraged and remember to “Keep your Hand in God’s Unchanging Hand.”

 Leona Bishop, EdS, NCC, LPC-S