Dear Parents,
As we all know, stress is a part of life, and it is something that affects everyone, including our children. As we help our children navigate the challenges of school and growing up, it is important to understand that not all stress is bad. In fact, there is such a thing as "good" stress, which can actually be beneficial for our children's development.
Good stress, also known as eustress, is a type of stress that motivates and inspires children to take action and overcome challenges. For example, the stress of a big test or a sports game can push children to study harder or practice more, leading to a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when they succeed. Good stress is typically short-term and manageable, and it can help children build resilience and develop important life skills.
On the other hand, bad stress or distress can harm our children's physical and emotional health. This type of stress is usually chronic and overwhelming, leading to anxiety, depression, and other health problems. Examples of bad stress in children may include issues around bullying, family conflict, or ongoing academic struggles.
As parents, it is important to help our children learn to manage stress effectively to experience more of the benefits of good stress and less of the negative effects of bad stress. Here are some tips for helping your child manage stress:
- Encourage your child to talk about their feelings and concerns and help them to identify what is causing their stress.
- Help your child think of how to handle things. Don’t jump in to solve things for them; instead, help them feel capable and invite them to think of their own solutions. Support their good ideas and remind them that they tried something new and it went well.
- Provide a safe and supportive environment at home where your child can relax and unwind after a busy day.
- Help your child develop healthy coping strategies, such as exercise, mindfulness, or talking to a trusted friend or family member.
- Help them expect good things. Ask your child to share what's going well and what they look forward to. Ask about the good things that happen in their day. Tell them about the good things in your day, too. Let them know that it’s OK to talk about worries, but it helps to focus more on the good moments.
- Model healthy stress management behaviors yourself by taking care of your own physical and emotional well-being.
By helping our children understand the difference between good stress and bad stress and teaching them healthy ways to manage stress, we can support them in developing the resilience and skills they need to navigate the challenges of growing up.
Thank you for partnering with us on this important work!
Crystal Marshall
School Social Worker, GVA North