Health Tip: Reduce Childhood Stress
(HealthDay News) -- Stress is a function of the demands placed on people and their ability to meet them, the Nemours Foundation says.
Stress affects anyone who feels overwhelmed, including children. Signs of a stressed child include mood swings, acting out, changes in sleep patterns or bedwetting, the foundation says. Additional signs may be stomachache, headache, trouble concentrating or appearing withdrawn.
Nemours suggests how to help your child manage stress:
- Make sure the child gets enough sleep and eats a nutritious diet.
- Set aside time each day to speak with your child.
- Don't force a child to talk about what's bothersome.
- Anticipate and prepare the child for stressful situations.
- Use a character is your child's favorite book to identify a stressful situation and to learn how the character worked things out.
The news stories provided in Health News and our Health-E News Newsletter are a service of the nationally syndicated HealthDay® news and information company. Stories refer to national trends and breaking health news, and are not necessarily indicative of or always supported by our facility and providers. This information is provided for informational and educational purposes only, and is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.