What is stress?

We all experience stress. It is our reaction to something going on in our lives. The reaction can be physical or emotional.  Stress can come from many things—a task to get done; changing schools, jobs, or where we live; a medical procedure; relationships.  It can result from trying to do too much each day.   Stress can be good or bad.  The right amount of stress can energize us and add excitement to our days.  Too much stress can weight us down.  And long-term stress can lead to health problems. 

What is stress like for kids?

Children have stress too.  It can be hard to be a kid. There’s a lot of pressure to do the right thing, do well in school, make friends, be good in sports. Also changes can be upsetting.  We tend to think of childhood as a carefree time.  It may not feel that way to a child.  There are so many situations kids face. They may feel anxious before the start of the school year.  They may be adjusting from grade school to middle school or from middle school to high school.  Perhaps they have a big game, recital or test coming up.  Some kids live in families that have been affected by significant events – for example, a parent’s health problem or job loss.  Everyone in the family may be stressed.  Every day may feel over-whelming.  The stress can result in headaches, chest pain, stomach aches and anxiety.

What can help kids cope with the stress they feel?

Learning the skills to manage stress – for example, to take a deep breath before reacting to a situation – may help your kids to feel better and to handle situations in a positive way.  Mindfulness and similar practices can help kids cope.

Mindfulness is a centuries old practice that takes many forms.  Sitting and meditating is the most common way to practice.  All mindful practices are about learning to be present in the moment.  Learning this skill can be a very good thing for kids who multi-task, such as teens who are texting on their phone, watching TV, checking Facebook, all while working on their homework.

It is important to keep in mind that everyone is different.  Different approaches work for different people.  There are many ways to reduce stress.  One can introduce a number of different options, looking for one that is a good fit for a particular child.