This prevalent COVID-19 pandemic created a major humdrum in the whole of the world. Affecting not only socio-economic conditions but also the mental health of the kids.
Although the effect which this pandemic caused one’s mental health have not been traced ardently by recent studies and is still yet to be known. All the efforts are channelised towards understanding the epidemiology of mental health with its clinical features and transmission patterns with the full management of the COVID‐19 outbreak.
Hence there has been very little or no concern about the condition of kids’ mental health due to pandemics. There are as such no developed strategies to prevent stigmatization. The current circumstances have a requirement to raise awareness in public, which would prove beneficial to deal with this apocalypse.
Some of the activities are enumerated below:-
#1. Start with a gratitude practice
This is one of the most advantageous for both kids as well as adults. Kids are just advised to make a list of three things which they are utterly grateful for. This is usually practiced in the morning.
The gratitude statements differ from one child to another but the advantage behind such activities is just shifting the perspective. These little mental health activities for kids reminds the child that even in stressful situations, they can think positively and adopt an optimistic as well as grateful attitude.
It is recommended by experts since it helps in reviewing the statements which get changed over time. After some time you would have a list of gratitude which you might need anytime for adjusting the perspective.
#2. Challenging your negative thoughts
Most kids and even adults worry a lot about their future, which makes them anxious and disturb their state of mind.
Although it’s quite normal to have such a chain of thoughts it’s advantageous to challenge them so it doesn’t drain the energy of your child and leave them depressed or panicked.
With regular practice, these negative thoughts could be replaced easily with positive ones. You should let your kid either write or verbalize their worries. Accordingly, you can assist them in comprehending the accuracy or how realistic their thought process is.
#3. Setting intentions
At the start of the day, you should make your kids write at least 3-4 things that they are grateful for. Gratitude journaling is a very common health tip for kids. These statements are usually based on the age as well as interests of your child but the main focus is to make it a regular habit.
In this overstimulated as well as hyper-connected lives, there are a lot of distractions that might deviate the attention of your child as the day starts. By establishing such habits which would help in focusing their attentiveness facilitates personal responsibility.
#4. Development of a nighttime routine
Few things are quite critical for the mental health of your kid and cognition in comparison to adequate sleep. As per studies, sleep has shown evidence regarding its influence on different elements of mental health such as cognitive performance, depression, impulsive behavior as well as anxiety.
Developing a routine for a night that works both for you and your child is essential. It is also suggested to minimize the use of devices such as computers, phones and tablets at nighttime.
#5. Nurturing hobbies and interests
Goal setting is often developed in teens and kids in the pursuit of their passion, hobby and other interests. The growth of skill in leisure helps in keeping the mind both curious and active. Moreover, it also boosts the self-esteem of the kids by showing them the way they can enhance their skills over time with practice.
Reinforcement of the self-esteem of your child would boost their empowerment along with the trust in the abilities after a challenge arises. You can also encourage them to practise recreational activities until they find their passion.
Since some of the children are fond of sports and various other knowledge-based activities and some kids also enjoy different creative outlets such as writing or painting.
#6. Journalising
As per research, journalising has massively benefited children. The process of journaling helps kids in developing emotional literacy or the capability to be able to recognise numerous emotions. Although daily journaling might not be possible for some because of busy schedules, that’s quite okay.
Though at the beginning it might seem sporadic and demand motivation for some weeks, but it’s one of the most effective ways to help in resolving and stabilize the mental state.
#7. Sharing your own experiences and feeling
Children usually regard their parents as role models for every little thing, whether the parents realize it or not. Since kids look up to their parents for every tiniest matter.
Ventilating your experience or feeling to your kid will normalize their reactions when it comes to dealing with complicated or bigger feelings rather than bottling them up.
You should explain to them why you shouldn’t hide big yet intense emotions like grief or anger. How introspection towards oneself is one of the most important things towards mental well being. The way parents would address such little matters would have a great impact on their children.
Since the adoption of healthy coping methods would not only benefit them in their teen years but would stay with them even after reaching adulthood.
#8. Finding a proper support group for your child
Kids as well as adults often thrive and open up better with groups of their age. When your kid would have a close-knitted circle of understanding friends, they are most likely to excel both in their academics as well as social life.
Children require a very understanding and supportive peer group with which they can share their dreams, goals, excitement, hopes as well as concerns. Since friendship is a significant aspect of social development as it embraces both emotional intelligence and empathy.
Conclusion:-
The World Health Organisation (WHO) defines it as a state of wellness in which the individual reaches a realization about her abilities, the strength which he/she possesses, how much it can cope with the normal stresses of life, with no how much caliber it can work productively and fruitfully.
Mental health is the solid base for emotions, thinking skills, communication skills, strength and self-esteem. It is also a major foundation for relationships, personal and emotional aspects and its contribution towards community or society.
Mental illness is not bound by any a discrimination anyone could get affected by regardless of any specified age, gender, geography, income, social status, race/ethnicity, religion/spirituality, sexual orientation, background or any other aspect of cultural identification. While the occurrence of mental illness can take place at any age, according to statistics three-fourths of all mental illnesses begin often by age 24.
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