Be honest. Don’t deny your stress.
As difficult as this time of the coronavirus is, it is actually a perfect time for you to help your children develop coping mechanisms which will help them for the rest of their lives. Let them know we all feel fearful and uncomfortable, but as adults, we have learned ways to handle these feelings. Create and share a list of different ways you reduce your own fears and ask them for their own suggestions to add to the list. I bet you will be pleasantly surprised by their terrific ideas. After creating your joint list, post it somewhere highly visible, so everyone in your family can refer to it whenever they are feeling stressed. Hopefully, the ideas on the list will be very diverse like my own list I have shared here:
Do a physical activity such as exercise, yoga, sports, jumping rope, etc.
Do a creative activity such as art, music, dance, etc..
Re-read a favorite book or start a brand new one.
Listen to some of your favorite music.
Watch a favorite video or movie.
Call and/or video chat with loved ones or friends you miss and have not been able to see for a long time.
This activity will not only help your children handle their present crisis, it will help them cope with stress and change in the future. It will also help them realize they are not alone, and all people, young and old, feel the same way at times and are still okay. Enjoy this opportunity for meaningful communication with your children; it can be rewarding experience for all of you.
How do you handle stress during this pandemic? Please share!
