Managing stress within the family
Time out and great communication boost mental health
RISING bills, war in Ukraine, Covid still making its presence felt, and a whole host of issues can send stress levels soaring and affect everyone’s mental health, so we need to know how to help ourselves and others through tough times.
Emotional literacy means knowing how to talk about mental health and how best to improve it, and the best way to intervene when a loved one of any age is struggling.
We can all benefit by spending more time in nature. Time spent connected to nature helps us feel grounded, lowers our stress levels and gives us space to gain perspective on our lives.
Slowing down to be in and enjoy nature helps our concentration. Take a walk and notice the flowers, trees and wildlife.
To support others you need to be in good shape yourself, so it’s not a selfish act to prioritise your own mental health first... it’s vital.
Become aware of your own stress trigger factors and what helps you unwind, so you can avoid a big build up of tension.
Don’t be afraid to talk to others about difficulties, and don’t assume they will have felt or noticed the same as you.
Make sure you take time out. Listen to yourself and try to meet your needs.
Be willing to apologise to others for a strong reaction if necessary and talk about your feelings.
Families need to make time to be with and connect to each other, with screens off. It’s often free, simple things like family walks or meals that are best.
When working together as a team you will all feel more heard, supported and appreciated.
Play is essential as it lowers stress levels, relaxes us and helps us to connect. Take a leaf out of Mary Poppins’ book and try to make the mundane fun. Take turns deciding what you will do and set boundaries. Make time to blow dandelions, watch sticks float downstream or avoid cracks in the pavement. Be silly sometimes.
The more you practice naming and explaining feelings the better you and your children will become at regulating emotions. Emotional literacy is really important. Give children the vocabulary and skills to name, recognise and understand their emotions.
Boundaries need to be understood by everyone too. Explain to youngsters why they need to stay in view when out. If your children don’t want to return home, help them come up with some ideas of what they might do once they are home.
Former teacher and play therapist Catherine Lynch of education resource experts PlanBee compiled the above advice. She said: “Families learn together by trying, failing and succeeding together, to develop a growth mindset. Teach children that no one knows everything and that’s fine.
“We all need to become more empathic. Respond to your own emotions, and the emotions of others, with understanding. Try to work out where the emotions came from and don’t forget to take as many calming breaths in the great outdoors as you need.”