Stress In Children

If you are a parent, you might think that your children are immune from stresses of the world involving finances, job security, relationships etc. This is FALSE.

In REALITY, children do experience stress and it can actually be a large amount depending on the external factors occurring in their lives. As they age, the quest to fit in increases and so do cortisol levels. Just as adults feel stressed when they are overwhelmed with too many tasks, children feel the same way when they are involved in too many extra-curricular activities. If they are only complaining about what they are involved in rather than making comments about what they learned and are excited for then you might consider cutting back on their participation in certain activities.

When children see their outer environment in turmoil, their inner environment begins to react. Factors that can cause stress in a child’s habitat are parents fighting or divorce, war or images on TV that display uneasiness in their world, and illness or death of someone they are close to.

Fortunately, most parents are aware and able to tend to the needs of their children. If you feel that you are not, there are resources online to help you.

Maintaining A Stress-Free Lifestyle

Acceptance is the main ingredient for a lifestyle void of stress. Acceptance of ourselves and our flaws, acceptance of others and what we cannot change and finally acceptance of how these two act individually in our world and then correlate to make up situations that equal our LIFE; the imperfect and wonderful life that it is.

Another way of continuing a stress-free lifestyle is to start doing yoga and keeping up with it. The Mayo Clinic describes yoga as a practice that “brings together physical and mental disciplines to achieve peacefulness of body and mind, helping you relax and manage stress and anxiety.”

Check out the video section for a sample of some yoga moves you can try at home.

De-Stressing

When the stress in our lives has built up to a point that we feel we are about to spill over, there are several remedies we can turn to.

One powerful and commonly used remedy for stress management is music therapy. Music can make tasks that seem like chores more enjoyable. If cleaning puts you in a bad mood, remember that a clean house decreases stress levels, so put on some jams and get to it! Music also cuts down on road rage. (de-stress in 5 min)

Other methods to de-stress utilize your body. Simply taking 4 or 5 long, deep breaths or bending in half and trying to touch your toes and holding the stretch can begin to melt your stress away. Go ahead and get up right now and bend down and try to touch your toes… count to 7 slowly. Now keeping your head down roll up vertebrae by vertebrae saving your neck and head for last.

Stress In Romantic Relationships

If you are in a romantic relationship, life finds part of its meaning from that person and you most likely spend a good amount of time with them. If there are things out of place in your relationship or disagreements occurring then this will place stress in your life where joy and love should abound.

Uncertainty about the feelings of the other person in your relationship can also be a cause of stress. You will constantly be wondering if they are going to leave you, or making sure you are perfect to ensure their happiness.

If your partner is abusive,  stress will be placed on your relationship. If you do not feel like you can leave your loved one, there are resources for help.

Relationship Stress Test Video