8 Ways to Encourage Self-Care for Kids
While it may be easy to get kids to brush their teeth, self-care isn’t always so simple to encourage. After all, self-care can be difficult or even intimidating if you don’t know where to begin. However, children benefit from the habit of taking care of themselves just as much as adults do. Midcentury Preservation Society outlines ways you can encourage self-care for your children, so they learn the valuable skill that benefits them throughout their lives.
Exercise
Exercising is an excellent way to encourage kids to take care of themselves. Participating in sports is a great way to stay active, especially if your child already likes the sport or enjoys being part of a team. Getting outside and taking walks can also help kids relax and feel energized after school or on weekends. Same goes for dance, which intertwines exercise with creativity. You can even use different “exercise hacks” throughout the day as part of living a healthy lifestyle, such as taking the stairs instead of an elevator when you’re out and about. Whatever activity you choose, make sure it’s fun, so your child wants to participate and practice self-care through exercise.
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Meditation
Meditation can teach your child to have more control over their thoughts and feelings. If there are signs of anxiety inside the home, such as excessive complaining and family members playing the blame game, it’s difficult to establish a living space conducive to calmness necessary for mediation to take place. That said, it’s important to remove sources of stress, such as clutter, so you can set the stage. Meditation isn’t just a practice where you sit still and empty your mind. It’s a state of mind where you acknowledge your thoughts and feelings, learn how to let them go, and KinderCare suggests centering yourself with breathing exercises.
Gratitude Journaling
Have your child practice gratitude journaling. To have a grateful attitude, they have to take stock of all they have. Writing down three things each day your child is grateful for can help reinforce their focus on positive things instead of focusing on what they don’t like. Focusing on negatives leads to an unhappy mind. Practicing self-care for kids is a lifestyle.
Art Therapy
Different By Design Learning points out that art therapy can help alleviate your child’s anxiety, give them a sense of accomplishment, and provide an outlet to express themselves in creative ways. Working on art projects with kids is also a great way for parents or other caregivers to learn more about what their kids are going through.
The Value of Getaways
Teach your kids how important it is to simply get away from time to time. Not only does this break up monotony. It gives you a chance to experience new things, new locales, and new people. One great way to make this a fun learning experience is to take a family trip to a destination that everyone will enjoy, like Disney World. There are plenty of ways to save on such a getaway; use a resource like MouseLifeToday.com to help you find deals on a variety of things, including tickets and places to stay.
Outdoor Fun
Creating a safe and fun outdoor space for your child with a place to play can be a great way to encourage self-care and promote a healthier lifestyle. Your kids benefit from fresh air and time in nature as well.
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Reduce Family Stress at Home
Discuss ways to reduce stress in your family’s life, such as mindfulness meditation and yoga. Explain how simple daily self-care can improve mental and physical health. If you work from home with kids underfoot, establish healthy boundaries between your family and professional life. It’s crucial to have a routine in place that facilitates stress-free productivity rather than distractions.
Life Skills
Encouraging self-care in your children can help them better handle things now and in later life. Many schools include gratitude or meditation exercises in their curricula. It can be done at home as well — even with young children. Remember to incorporate exercise, meditation, journaling, and, perhaps most importantly, make it fun!