Tuesday's Tip: Reducing/Managing Stress |
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With everything that is going on, let’s “Bee Brave” today to try something new to increase our coping skills for stress. One way to help children with stress is to model how to cope with it ourselves. We found this helpful “starfish breathing exercise” that can help reduce stress in the moment: https://www.projectplaytherapy.com/starfish-breathing-helping-children-with-emotional-regulation/.
Also, we found this article by the National Alliance for Mental Illness (NAMI) that provided a menu of ideas:
Blossom Hill Elementary has counselors available help support students. Their information can be found at LGUSD Student Wellness Supports webpage. Whether it’s the lunchtime Buddy Ambassador Program, reaching out to your child’s teacher, or finding a mental health therapist for your child or yourself as a parent, there is help out there. “Bee Brave” and reach out. We are here to help you connect to the resources you may need to cope with today’s stressors.
Please see casalg.org for additional lists of local resources, including the 24-hour county crisis line for parents or teens (1-855-278-4204).
Sources: https://www.casalg.org/parent-resources/, redribbon.org, https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Taking-Care-of-Your-Body/Managing-Stress.
Additional Resources:
For kids, ChallengeSuccess offers this PDF to discuss the need for elementary school students to experience downtime, playtime, and family time: http://www.challengesuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CS_Flyer_K-5-2019_121719_8_online.pdf.
- Accept your needs. Recognize what your triggers are. What situations make you feel physically and mentally agitated? Once you know this, you can avoid them when it's reasonable to, and to cope when you can't.
- Manage your time. Prioritizing your activities can help you use your time well. Making a day-to-day schedule helps ensure you don't feel overwhelmed by everyday tasks and deadlines.
- Practice relaxation. Deep breathing, meditation and progressive muscle relaxation are good ways to calm yourself. Taking a break to refocus can have benefits beyond the immediate moment.
- Exercise daily. Schedule time to walk outside, bike or join a dance class, even if via Zoom in current times. Whatever you do, make sure it's fun. Daily exercise naturally produces stress-relieving hormones in your body and improves your overall physical health.
- Set aside time for yourself. Schedule something that makes you feel good. It might be reading a book, watching a movie, or taking your dog for a walk.
- Eat well. Eating unprocessed foods, like whole grains, vegetables, and fresh fruit is the foundation for a healthy body and mind. Eating well can also help stabilize your mood.
- Get enough sleep.
- Avoid alcohol and drugs. They don't actually reduce stress: in fact, they often worsen it. If you're struggling with substance abuse, educate yourself and get help.
- Talk to someone. Whether to friends, family, a counselor or a support group, airing out and talking can help.
Blossom Hill Elementary has counselors available help support students. Their information can be found at LGUSD Student Wellness Supports webpage. Whether it’s the lunchtime Buddy Ambassador Program, reaching out to your child’s teacher, or finding a mental health therapist for your child or yourself as a parent, there is help out there. “Bee Brave” and reach out. We are here to help you connect to the resources you may need to cope with today’s stressors.
Please see casalg.org for additional lists of local resources, including the 24-hour county crisis line for parents or teens (1-855-278-4204).
Sources: https://www.casalg.org/parent-resources/, redribbon.org, https://www.nami.org/Your-Journey/Individuals-with-Mental-Illness/Taking-Care-of-Your-Body/Managing-Stress.
Additional Resources:
For kids, ChallengeSuccess offers this PDF to discuss the need for elementary school students to experience downtime, playtime, and family time: http://www.challengesuccess.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/01/CS_Flyer_K-5-2019_121719_8_online.pdf.