Stress is a response to any situation or factor that creates a negative emotional or physical change or both. In addition to minor aggravations like running late or having a bad hair day, kids have to cope with major life events. Different situations in which a child can feel stressed may be:
1.Parent having problems:
There are many issues within a family unit that can cause stress in children, for example, fight between parents, parental separation, financial problems, poverty, parental stress, coping with parents who have a mental illness and, commonly, unreasonably high family expectations being placed on children.
2. Isolation or loneliness:
Separation from a closed one (parent, sibling or a friend due to death or loss) with which the child had a very close bonding or feeling of lack of love may lead child to feel depressed and lonely.
3. Abuse (past or current):
Abuse of a child physically or sexually causes a deep impact on the child’s life as it may break off his self confidence.
4. Stress in school:
There is a lot of pressure on students today to perform at school. The increase in the amount of homework students receive, fear of failure, worrying about fitting in, self-identity,bullying and teacher doesn’t like the child are some of the more common reasons for stress in schools.
5. Birth of a brother or sister:
Children may feel jealous after the birth of a new one in their family as parents attention gets more diverted taking care of the newborn. They may feel neglected or not being loved because of it.
6. Moving to a new school:
Facing new people or leaving behind old friends may cause stress in children as they may feel anxious or insecure to adapt in a new surroundings and facing new atmosphere around them.
7. Not having enough privacy:
Children may feel need for privacy in their life especially during teenage and undue interference and overprotective nature of their parents make them feel embarrassed and angry.
Children may not recognize that they are stressed. Parents may suspect stress if the child has experienced a stressful situation and begins to have physical or emotional symptoms, or both.
Physical and emotional symptoms which indicate that the child is in stress can include:
• Decreased appetite
• Headache
• New or recurrent bedwetting
• Nightmares
• Sleep disturbances
• Stuttering
• Upset stomach or vague stomach pain
• Anxiety
• Worries
• Inability to relax
• New or recurring fears (fear of the dark, fear of being alone, fear of strangers)
• Clinging, unwilling to let you out of sight
• Anger
• Crying
• Whining
• Inability to control emotions
• Aggressive behavior
• Stubborn behavior
• Unwillingness to participate in family or school activities.
The key to helping kids manage stress is teaching them to problem-solve, plan and know when to say yes and no to activities and commitments because A stress free kid today will be a happier, healthier adult tomorrow!
To read more to manage stress in children…
