Kids Need Self-Care, Too — Here’s How to Help Your Child Build a Healthy Routine

Guest Post by Anya Willis, FitKids.info
Self-care plays a vital role in achieving health and wellness as an adult. But many people don’t realize how critical it is for children as well. Kids face a lot of pressures and stressful situations these days, and if they don’t have methods to foster their well-being, it can be difficult to overcome obstacles and lead a healthy life.
The best way to teach your child about self-care is to practice it yourself. But there are other strategies worth trying that can realistically fit into your daily routine. Check out these arts-related self-care ideas from Jessica Lee Studio!
Clean Your House
First, nix the negativity in your home. If your household experiences and participates in excessive arguing, complaining, and criticism, find ways to improve the energy in your living environment.
One practical solution is to declutter and deep clean every room and keep it that way. Also, draw the blinds on sunny days and think about opening the windows to let fresh air flow in. And finding a relaxing activity to do as a family each day can also help to ease tensions and maintain a healthy atmosphere.
Reduce Your Stress
Many parents bring stress home with them from work. And don’t think that kids can’t fill that! If you’re constantly showing your work stress, it will negatively impact your child’s self-care routine and overall life.
Try mixing up your routine at work to make things more interesting and less stressful. Also, make sure you’re taking nutritious snacks to the job, and use productivity tools to help you stay organized and on task. Any steps you can take to reduce job stress will benefit your entire family.
Learn an Instrument
Playing an instrument can do wonders for an individual’s mental health and well-being. And that goes for adults and children alike. If your child shows an inclination to music, explore various instruments with them to determine which they might be interested in learning.
Younger kids can develop many developmental skills through playing an instrument, and older kids can use it as an outlet for their thoughts and emotions. In other words, it can be an excellent self-care activity for kids of all ages. Connect with Jessica Lee Studio to get started on lessons!
Listen to Calming Music
Playing music is not the only way to practice self-care; simply listening to it can also boost a child’s mood and help them maintain a healthy perspective. Encourage your child to sit and listen to soothing music for at least 15 minutes a day.
If you have a younger child, you may need to designate a specific time of day and keep them accountable. For older children and teenagers, simply suggesting classical and other relaxing genres can make a big difference in their personal lives and well-being.
Try Other Art Forms
There are many other art forms worth considering as a self-care practice for your kid. Many children enjoy drawing or painting because it gives them an opportunity to let their imagination run wild and express things they can’t articulate in words.
Take time to scour the web for indoor and outdoor art projects that you could engage in with your kid. You might be surprised how fun it is for you both!
Practice Self-Care as a Parent
Finally, don’t forget to be a role model for your child as they learn the essentials of self-care. Maintain a balanced diet and steady exercise routine. Make sure you get at least seven hours of restful sleep each night and find de-stressing activities that you can incorporate into your routine. Telling your child about self-care is one thing; showing them is quite another!
If your child is not experiencing the stressors of life quite yet, keep in mind that they certainly will at some point. Teaching them about self-care now can help them keep a healthy perspective and maintain their well-being as they deal with tough choices and situations down the road. Consider the tips above and keep finding other ways to guide your child to building healthy routines!
Are you interested in learning voice, piano, viola, or guitar? Visit JessicaLeeStudio.com today!