Mental health is defined as the state of a person that enables him to think, feel and respond in any particular situation. It includes his emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It needs a great deal of attention.

Mental health empowers overall growth and development. It is directly or indirectly related to the physical health of a person too.

Take care of your mind, your body will thank you. Take care of your body, your mind will thank you!

Its organ, the brain, stimulates the subconscious mind, supports the blood circulation in veins, and gives signals to different parts of the body.

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Why mental health is important?

Mental health is as important to maintain as physical health as both complements each other. If our mental health is good our physical health will also be good or vice-versa. If we ignore one, others would be affected without our knowing. So, both go together. Mental health also affects our daily living and relationships.

A healthy mind resides in a healthy body! True is that.

Mental health is something that is developed over a period of time and it needs utmost care and attention. It is not a destination, it is a process. It is about how you drive, not where you are going. We learn and develop each day.

Ever since the outburst of the pandemic has taken place, the exaggerated lifestyles of people have been adapted by new normalcy. Most of us have adopted it but many got affected. Majorly, those who lost their loved ones, those who lost their jobs, or those who faced financial crises. They never thought of such unpredictability. The uncertainty of events deteriorated their mental health.

Positive

Amongst us, the ones who suffered a lot in growth and development are the children. Shutting down schools and institutions worldwide has widened their learning gap. Excess of screen time, non-existence of physical classes, lack of ground activities, less exposure to the real world, virtual studies, etc. has impacted a lot. Not only their physical development but has directly affected their mental growth.

In these unprecedented times, it has become important that parents nourish their children’s mental health. This is turn will keep them active, encouraged, and happy.

10 interesting ways how can parents support the mental health of their children.

Open Conversation

Talking to children should not be a constraint to fulfilling their needs and wants. Apart from that parents must converse with their children. Talk about things happening worldwide, keep them updated, give them exposure and encourage them to get involved and explore things beyond common chores. They should also ask these questions. This will help improve their cognitive skills.

An open conversation is like a blank page. Limitless.

Listen carefully

Children are keen observers. They obey less and follow more. So whenever children come and talk to you, allow a minute and listen to them carefully what they have to say. In return, they will also do the same when parents talk to them.

It may not be an important point for you to discuss but your little response will make them feel essential. If they are telling you something, it means that they feel that comfort zone around you. It enables them to express their feelings, emotions, and thoughts. Inadvertently, it will enhance their mental growth.

Be patient

Parenting is a job that requires a lot of patience along effort. Children become disgusting and obnoxious at times. Younger they are, challenging is the job. As they age, things settle. Meantime, it demands patience.

Parents need to be patient not only when dealing with them but with other relationships too. Patience needs understanding, adjustments, and compromise. A balance of all maintains inner peace.

With young ones needing more patience than the elder ones, it becomes easy to stand.

Meditate, exercise, and eat right

Meditation is an art of syncing mind, body, and soul. It gives a sense of inner peace. Doing regular exercise channelize energy and eating a balanced diet gives the right nutrition to the body. Doing all these helps in the growth and development of the physical and mental health of the body.

Parents must develop these habits in their children from an early age.

Allow Rest time

Children are a bundle of energies. They generate some. They transmit some. They retain some. Energy is used in all activities. Some are positive energies and some are negative. It is important that they revolve around potential energy as it enables them to sustain mental balance.

To channel the energy and use it in a constructive manner there should be a break in between. Parents should set up the routine or schedule of their children in such a manner that they get sufficient rest. Lack of enough rest may result in non-performance.

All of us need a break. A break re-energizes you to focus, concentrate and perform in a much better manner. Children need it the most. So, allow them rest time and see them bounce back.

Read books

Books are the windows to the world outside. No doubt, they are best friends. Reading gives a lot more information we never knew. It keeps you updated and upgraded. It enhances grammar and builds vocab too. Read books, any age-appropriate book to your children. It will help them build command over the language. Make sure to develop a habit of reading in your child’s routine.

An insight mind is less stressful. Reading is one such activity that has many benefits with no negative effects. It keeps you occupied, updated, aware, relaxed, entertained, and never alone. It can be done anytime and anywhere. Yes, books are our best friends!

Encourage

Encouragement is a positive word. Few words of encouragement are so powerful. It does magic. Magic to keep you motivated, to keep you going, and never lose hope.

Children are born innocent and they learn things by doing over a period of time. For which they need encouragement. Parents must keep encouraging children for every small achievement. This boosts confidence in them. They feel motivated. Develop an attitude of not giving up before trying. Even if they do not succeed, they will learn from it.

Teach them emotions

Emotions are the way through which we express our feelings. When we express our feelings we relax our muscles. It is okay to feel different in different situations. But it is important to express them. Through expressing we are able to share our perspectives. We feel less burdened. We are able to maintain our mental imbalance. Our children are like molds. It is important to teach them different emotions. Emotions to express love, happiness, anger, anxiety, fear, confusion, or insecurity. This will help them build their mental peace and stress.

Lend a helping hand

Children like to help people around them. They find it interesting. This way they get the chance to explore things. So, they are curious to help.

But they also like to get help from their loved ones in their innocent activities. Whether it is picking up their toys and putting them back or keeping their books at the place. Or teenagers like help hand in shopping. Parents must lend a helping hand to show their support and concern.

Show love and support

Unconditional love and support are something every child deserves. Parents should show these to their children. This gives them their comfort zone. They feel secure to come and talk to their parents.

Mental Health Quotes For Children

• Aim high to the sky, in all that you do.
• Don’t see the whole staircase, just take the first step.
• It is never too late to start again.
• Never loose hope.
• Life is all about creating yourself.
• Do it your way. Either you win or learn.
• Dream until come true.
• Paint your canvas as you desire.
• Dreams don’t work unless you do.
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