Mental health issues are on the rise globally. Notably, in the US, mental health-related emergency visit counts increased by 24% for kids ages 5-11 and 31% for kids ages 12-17 in a year, as per the conclusion of this 2020 study.
These stats are hurtful. For kids, their parents play a pivotal role in making them understand the significance of mental health at an early age.
However, parents are struggling to discover ways to help their kids stay healthy mentally with the rise of several unique conditions like major depressive episodes, panic attacks, substance use disorder, alcohol & drug use disorder, and whatnot!
In this piece, we have summarized eight super-effective mental health activities to try out for your kids.
1. Let Your Kid Stay Active
An active lifestyle is equal to an agile & fresh mind. According to a 2022 review, 2.5 hours of reasonable exercise reduces depression risk in kids by around 20%. Exercising, playing video games, hosting family games, attending dance parties, and practicing yoga also help mental health.
Moreover, a few healthy lifestyle habits can help your kid stay mentally well, for starters, consuming CBD gummies. CBD has multiple potential health benefits, most related to mental health.
The effects of CBD gummies on kids are pretty natural, and you may consult an expert before adding them to your routine.
2. Let Your Kid: Listen to or Create Music
Music is the key to everything. From bad moods to broken hearts, a song is enough to light up things again. Anything from listening to Music and creating Music works in favor of mental health. Ask your child to be in the company of good music maximum possible.
A recent study in 2022 also affirmed that music therapy helps teenagers in more than one condition, including depression, anxiety, social isolation, and self-esteem boost. We all know how Billie Eilish wrote the song “Everything I Wanted” while driving through her depression which later became a homage to her brother and million others, right?
3. Add Color Book Activities
Colors make you feel happy & contentful, don’t they? It is the reason why even adults use coloring books to unwind and relax once in a while. Along with helping kids cut stressful thoughts & anxiety, coloring also develops concentration, creativity, and motor skills in them.
Give open space to kids when it comes to coloring books by:
- Letting them listen to an audiobook while coloring
- Giving them sticky pens, scented crayons, or glitter pens
- Making new crayons out of the old broken pieces with them
4. Get Them a Furry Friend
Dogs are the most heartening creatures on the planet. A study conducted in 2015 uncovered that kids with dogs at their houses have lower childhood anxieties. Plus, being in the company of furry friends keeps your kid in a jolly mood, energetic, and happy.
You can let your child be a pet parent or help you take care of your dog or cat. Additionally, you can bring family walks with your four-legged friend to the park or boroughs.
An exciting way to let your kid socialize is by taking your dog to school when you pick up your kid. Your children can introduce their pets to other kids and share pet stories.
5. Include Outdoor Activities
Outdoors is the way to new you. Allowing your kids to be with nature helps them balance their thoughts and find peace. Moreover, playing outdoors can help kids avoid electronics and attain mindfulness. According to a study, kids with limited access to green space have a high chance of developing a mental health condition by 55%.
6. Teach Them to Journal Unconventionally
Journal writing means organizing thoughts with words neatly. Ask your kid to conceive a habit of journal writing for their greater good. Writing down what’s on their mind helps children cut pressure on their mental health.
If not the conventional journal writing, you can always encourage your kid to go for unconventional journaling methods like gratitude journaling, painting with coffee, painting instead of paper, bullet journals, and destroying pages.
7. Prepare a Self-care Checklist
Self-care is the first step towards prettier mental health. It helps in decreasing stress, minimizing frustration, and feeling happy.
Ask your kid to include the following things in the self-care checklist and, in turn, ensure a progressive journey toward sound mental health:
- Flossing teeth twice a day
- Nutritious breakfast
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Helping you with house chores like laundry or unloading the dishwasher
- Hair & Skincare
- Random acts of kindness
8. Let Your Kid Open Up to a Trusted Adult
Sound mental health doesn’t mean your kid never gets stressed about things. Instead, it is more about recognizing and accepting depressive emotions and opening up to someone trustworthy. Talking is the best therapy. Try making your kid open up to you.
If not, invite the most faithful friend of your child to your home to talk it out with your kid. You can take your kid to a child counselor if the need arises.
Summary
From kids to adults, most individuals are struggling with unique mental health conditions in each corner of the world. But the facts & data about children’s mental health will always remain sad and scary. We understand how much you feel responsible about looking out for your kid’s overall mental health. And these eight ideas will surely help you out further.
