Children often express normal feelings of anxiety. They may become nervous around dogs, or they may cry when they are separated from a parent. They may become distressed before they go to school or when they are about to go to a doctor’s appointment.
Most anxious children will outgrow childhood fears and anxieties over time. As adults, they may develop different anxieties and healthy coping skills. However, certain signs tell you your child is experiencing excessive anxiety, such as irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, shaking, and dizziness.
Regardless of how much anxiety your child is dealing with, parents need to find healthy ways to manage their emotions and know how to calm a high energy child so the child feels a sense of calm. Read on to learn about the various coping methods.
How to Calm a High Energy Child and Help Them Deal with Anxiety
Stay Calm
A parent’s or caregivers’ emotions may escalate when their child is dealing with anxiety, but they must act as the voice of reason. If the parent loses control, it makes things worse for everyone involved. View your child’s anxiety and your child’s fears as emotional reactions to determine a reasonable approach to help them calm down. This is especially important if they have regular social anxiety, separation anxiety or panic attacks.
Communicate with Your Child
Communication goes a long way in relieving anxiety. Your child may feel better after they talk about what’s bothering them. Ask them what’s wrong and listen to what they have to say. The conversation may calm them down.
Teach Your Child Coping Skills
Your child may be unable to achieve a full meditative state, but coping skills such as deep breathing or counting to 10 may help them overcome anxiety. Teach them techniques that will help them achieve a state of calm when they feel anxious. Go through the motions with them to ensure they get the most out of their exercises.
Be Patient
Understand that overcoming anxiety is a process. You may notice your child gradually adapting coping techniques, but they may also experience occasional setbacks. Congratulate them when they handle anxiety successfully. If they fall back on old habits, continue to encourage coping techniques without showing frustration.
Consider Professional Help
As a parent, you may not always know the best way to help your child overcome anxiety. You may even feel your mental health deteriorating due to dealing with an anxious youngster. In these instances, it may be best to seek professional help.
A professional may provide a new perspective for your child. It may make them more receptive to discussing their feelings. You may also consider speaking to a professional or joining a support group to deal with parenting challenges.
Encourage a Healthy Lifestyle
Children may experience better mental health when they follow a healthy lifestyle. A diet of fruits, veggies, lean protein, nuts, and seeds can improve your child’s mental state. Exercise and proper sleep can be invaluable for stress relief.
Natural Supplements May Help
Are you still wondering how to calm a high energy child or a child with anxiety disorder? Some parents may be reluctant to put their child on anti-anxiety medication due to side effects, but there are natural supplements that reduce anxiety. Zahler ChildCalm Relaxation Formula is a prime example. It contains a blend of nutrients that promote a sense of calm. It is tasty, chewable, GMO-free, soy-free, dairy-free, and vegetarian.
Child anxiety can be upsetting for everyone involved, but it is manageable. The right mental attitude, communication, coping skills, and lifestyle changes can help your child achieve a calmer state. It will set your child up for a more pleasant future.
What coping techniques do you pass on to your child?
