We always talk about getting children ready for the school year. So many commercials and influencers remind us of everything we haven’t completed: the supplies and clothes children need, the tasks to do, and the emotional preparation kids need to undergo. But as a parent, you need preparation too. Your kids need you at your best. So, this school year, be sure to take steps to prepare yourself:
- Breathe. Lower that heart rate. Practice some box breathing. You can find countless how-to videos on the method. Instructions can also be found at Health.Clevelandclinic.Org/Box-Breathing-Benefits. Do you know who uses box breathing to calm themselves? Navy Seals, who obviously know a lot about operating under pressure. If you’re not a fan of that method, you can find many others. For example, you can visit EskenaziHealth.edu/Programs/Music-Therapy to find Care for You, a collection of relaxation recordings, including guided imagery and progressive muscle relaxation.
- Take a walk. If stress is getting to you, exercise can help calm your nerves. Better yet, ask a friend with a good sense of humor to join you on the walk. Laughing together will help you put things into perspective. In fact, laughing has so many physical and psychological benefits that it is used as a form of therapy. According to an April 2021 article in the journal Current Research in Physiology, in a metanalysis of 10 studies, “laughter interventions were reported to significantly reduce depression and anxiety levels.”
- Prioritize. What can be done now versus later? Don’t come up with a list of 20 things you need to do. Pick five. Write them down. Put a line through each item as you complete it. For example, ensure your kids get any shots they need to keep them as healthy as possible this fall. You’ll feel better once you finish such tasks. Progress eases stress. A list of recommendations provided by the American Academy of Pediatrics can be found at Downloads.AAP.org/AAP/PDF/AAP-Immunization-Schedule.pdf.
- Remember that your kids will model what you do, including how you handle stress. Showing them positive coping methods will help them manage their own stress healthfully. The American Psychological Association shares other advice on assisting your kids with stress at this site: APA.org/Topics/Stress/Talking.
- Rely on professionals when you need assistance. You don’t have to figure everything out by yourself. For guidance on pediatric wellness, talk to your medical provider and trust credible health care websites, such as HealthyChildren.org, run by the American Academy of Pediatrics. If you want assistance with stress management, you can schedule an appointment with a counselor. For example, you can reach the Sandra Eskenazi Mental Health Center at 317-880-8491. For a mental health emergency, please contact the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline at 988.
Start the school year right: care for yourself and model that behavior for your children.
Broderick Rhyant, M.D., chief physician executive with Eskenazi Health Center Grandekenazi Health Center Grande
