- Behavioral disorders among family members
- Birth/adoption of a new sibling
- Death (of a loved one or pet)
- Divorce
- Extracurriculars/sports
- Family circumstances/finances
- Friendships/Bullying
- Home environment
- Moving
- School/grades
- ·Substance use/abuse within family
- Aggression
- Appetite changes
- Bedwetting
- Changes in attentiveness or grades at school
- Changes in sleep/nightmares
- Fatigue
- Headaches
- Irritability
- Mood swings
- Upset stomach
- Family Conversations: Setting aside time in the day to talk as a family about issues, school, sports, friends or even the future can give a child the opportunity to express stress. In these conversations, it’s important to actively listen, express interest and brainstorm problem-solving techniques together.
- Freedom of Expression: Encouraging a child to engage in activities that suit his or her interests can provide a healthy outlet for stress as they age. Exploring team sports, art or musical endeavors may result in a newfound passion or lifelong hobby.
- Manageable Schedules: It’s important to establish a healthy balance of activities and downtime for children. Overscheduling can take away from the time young bodies and brains need to recharge and may even perpetuate patterns of poor time management as they age.
- Sufficient Rest: According to the National Sleep Foundation, school-aged children should get about nine to 12 hours of sleep each night. Establishing a bedtime routine is crucial for their mental and physical well-being. Americans today get 40 percent less sleep than the body needs to function at its best.
- Deep Breaths: Teaching a child simple deep breathing techniques during stressful times can become a lifelong coping mechanism for stress. This can be as simple as teaching an older toddler to count to ten when they’re feeling overwhelmed, or family yoga sessions before bedtime.
- Emergency Preparedness: Taking the time to practice emergency drills as a family can help young children handle stressful situations more calmly and anticipate change. Depending on location, evaluate potential threats (fires, tornados, etc.) and plan accordingly. It’s also smart to teach children what to do in case they are separated from an adult or family member, or feel unsafe in a public place.
Our mission is to help everyone in Michigan get healthier from the inside out. This means everything from giving you resources to help you make better decisions about diet and exercise, as well as information on creating and sustaining nurturing communities and successful businesses — everything you need to help create a healthier Michigan.