Tips for Teaching Your Kids the Value of Self-Care

Tips for Teaching Your Kids the Value of Self-Care is the topic of this article. The International Pain Foundation provides tools and life skills to chronic pain patients giving them the ability to perform their regular activities in the community and to bolster society’s ability to provide full opportunities and appropriate support. Reach out today for more info! 1-480-882-1342

People of all ages can benefit greatly from regular self-care. Teaching your kids the value of self-care will ensure they have the skills they need to manage stressful situations in healthy ways. As a result, good self-awareness and self-care skills can reduce the risk that your children grow up with common mental health conditions like depression and anxiety. As both a chronic pain sufferer and parent, you know all too well the importance of self-care, but does your child? Check out the following tips from the International Pain Foundation.

Consider Your Own Needs When Teaching Your Own Kids the Value of Self-Care

One of the best ways to show your kids the value of self-care is to practice it yourself. Modeling good self-care rituals will normalize the practice and show your children that their own needs should come before everything else. Set a good example by making your needs a priority! For example, if you’re working from home and you’re struggling with stress, establish a few boundaries so you can focus more easily. Create a household schedule that everyone respects and understands so your kids know when they need to give you some space.

As you teach by example, let your kids know that self-care (and fun) doesn’t have to be expensive. Plan budget-friendly outings, such as a baseball game. Going online, it’s not hard to find affordable ticket prices for the Dodgers, for instance, or for the Diamondbacks or Yankees. You could even schedule a night with the kids attending a popular concert coming to town. Little getaways like these do wonders for self-care and a well-balanced life.

Prioritize Natural Wellness

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the best way to keep disease and illness at bay. By teaching your kids the importance of natural wellness, you’ll set them up for a lifetime of good health. Natural wellness is all about using a combination of holistic practices like nutrition, exercise, and sleep to keep your body and brain in top shape. As your kids grow up, teach them how to make healthy food choices, get enough sleep, and find forms of exercise they enjoy.

Get Your Kids to Drink More Water

Staying hydrated is incredibly important to our overall health. Water promotes blood circulation, cognitive functioning, cell repair, and many more essential physical processes. Unfortunately, research shows that nearly half of U.S. children and adolescents are inadequately hydrated. Children’s Hospital Colorado recommends some creative ways to get your kids to consume more water:

• Infuse their water with berries, cucumbers, and citrus.
• Get your child a special water drinking cup.
• Give your children stickers or other rewards for drinking water.
• Carry a water bottle around and model healthy hydration for your kids.
• Substitute water for sugary drinks like soda and fruit juice.

Teach Deep Breathing

Deep breathing can make a big difference in your overall mood and energy levels. When your kids feel stressed or overexcited, deep breathing can bring them back to a state of calm. Teach your kids how to practice deep breathing so they can self-regulate in stressful situations. Coping Skills for Kids suggests a variety of creative ways to help your kids learn about deep breathing, like using bubbles or pinwheels to practice breath control.

Practice Self-Awareness Skills

Encouraging your children to become aware of their thoughts and emotions can give them more power to self-regulate their actions and control their reactions to distressing situations. As Raising Kids With Purpose points out, children with greater self-awareness have a better understanding of themselves and their relation to the world around them, which contributes to better empathy skills, critical thinking skills, and communication skills. Encouraging your kids to identify and express their emotions is a great place to start!

Self-care skills are some of the most valuable skills you can teach your kids. When your child knows how to do what’s best for their mind and body, they’ll have everything they need to live a long and healthy life. Start encouraging your kids to adopt healthy self-care behaviors today!

Article by: Scott Sanders

Published by: International Pain Foundation, iPain Blog