Counselor on Tips to Relieve Stress, Keep your Kids Busy, and Bond with your Family During Quarantine

Background

We are quickly approaching the one year mark since our country was thrown into the whirlwind of a global pandemic. It has been almost one year since families have had to restructure in order to compensate for school, work, and community closures. All of this confusion, chaos, and uncertainty has caused children and their families to take on more stress than they could have ever imagined. Despite schools reopening in Broward and Palm Beach Counties, many parents have decided to continue distance learning options to keep their children safe. Many parents have had to juggle working from home while monitoring one or several children working online to complete school work. This is not a situation we ever thought we would find ourselves for so long.

How to prepare

In the midst of this chaos, there is still hope. The key to coping with the pandemic is preparation, rather than panic or making it up as we go along. Gather accurate information from “cdc.gov” to remain informed, but limit your exposure to news coverage and social media, as there are many false facts being spread that may cause unnecessary fear. Continue talking to your children about their concerns and emotions, and help them in ways they can understand. Reassure them that their feelings are valid, and answer questions they may. If you’re unsure of anything, do research with your child to find answers.

What should I do to help my children?

Keeping a schedule is critical in these times. Whether you have chosen to continue distance learning for your child, or they are going into a school building, a schedule will maintain a sense of structure to their days and minimize the anxiety of the unknown.
Schedule learning times with built in breaks. Children need time to get up and stretch or eat a healthy snack.
Don’t mistake quarantine for not being able to go outside. We are in the sunshine state, so enjoy the benefits that offers us. Though it is important to stay away from public gyms and parks, your child can ride his/her bike, play catch, or kick a soccer ball around. Schedule family walks in the evening so the whole family can be active together.
If weather is not permitting, you could do some indoor exercises like yoga, play board games, or even have a family movie night.

These things will drastically decrease your child’s anxiety levels and increase their level of growth and creativity.

How do I relieve stress and anxiety?

Finding ways to exercise would be one of the most important ways to combat stress. Physical activity increases the brain’s production of endorphins, which makes us happy. Supplements can be added to your and your child’s diets to induce calm – omega-3 fatty acids, ashwagandha, chamomile tea, and lemon balms are all commonly used to reduce stress and anxiety. Another simple way is lighting candles in your home. Aromatherapy has been known to decrease anxiety and improve sleep. Lavender, rose, sandalwood, or even orange blossom aromas are great for this effect. Try reducing your caffeine consumption, journaling your feelings, listening to soothing music, and even deep breathing practices. Laughing produces endorphins (or the happy chemicals) in our bodies. Try watching a comedy special or funny movie with the family to get that laughter going.

A Boca Raton Counselor Can Help Your Child With Quarantine Stress

If you are still struggling to help your child cope with the stressors and anxiety from this prolonged quarantine, reach out to Total Life Counseling Center’s Boca Raton office today at (561) 560-7110. We have a specialized therapist who is ready to help you and your child learn necessary skills to beat the quarantine stress.