Step 4: Disconnect from tech
As chronically online people, we have become accustomed to constant connection, information, and overstimulation. This creates a layer of stress that our child is constantly swimming in even before what just happened at school today.
So, once they’ve opened up about how they are feeling and why, see what your child thinks about stepping away from social media and tech at certain hours, on certain days, or for a season. If they are young, you may need to make that decision for them. If they are older, encourage them to make that healthy decision themselves and then help them self-enforce it. This will allow them to revisit the stress-inducing problem in a more level-headed manner.
Here are two ideas:
- Get outside! According to The Child Mind Institute (and numerous other entities), getting outside is an anxiety and stress-reducer in children. Most studies agree that kids who play or hang out outside are smarter, happier, and less anxious than kids who spend a lot of time indoors.
- Get creative. Art and music allow children to express difficult feelings, which can reduce the stress of them.
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