how do i help my child when they are worrying?
Worries do not only take up space in your mind, but they can also impact how your body feels. Think about when you are worried and don’t feel well - such as before a big meeting at work or being behind on a bill. Sometimes a child may have that same experience where you might hear them say that they don’t feel well, their stomach hurts, head hurts, or they feel butterflies - all of these things could be an indicator that a worry might be taking place for them.
So…What are ways you can help your child if they are worrying?
If you continue to ask your child what’s wrong and they are not able to verbalize it, try addressing the worry by calming down the body first.
Try engaging in the following activities with your child to help them calm down their body which will in turn calm down their mind.
Deep breathing
Progressive muscle relaxation
Engaging in activities such as jumping jacks or running.
Stay tuned for the next blog post where you can learn how to do engage in progressive muscle relaxation and other ways to address the worry after the body has calmed down.
If you are looking for support navigating your child’s worries, reach out to contact@nurturingrelationshipschicago.com
