COPING WITH STRESS & ANXIETY

Parents can be proactive all year

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O er good through October 8th. New clients only. Book online today! It is common when a new school year rolls around for students to be anxious and nervous, but experts agree that stress and worry can continue as the fi rst days turn into weeks and months.

Dr. Anat Geva, a clinical psychologist with the HealthONE Behavioral Health & Wellness Center, said the beginning of a school year can come with a variety of nerves.

Some students may be worried that bad things from the previous year will happen again this year.

Geva said as students are getting more adjusted to the school year, parents can help stave off some anxiety by talking things out, stressing that something that happened during fall or winter break last year may not happen again this year. A bad grade from a class last year doesn’t mean it will happen again this year.

Geva said other students worry differently. These are the students who may not have had a bad year last year but worry about the unknown, stressing about what could happen and thinking the worst.

“It is not uncommon to have a student have more anxiety by creating things that could go wrong and really thinking the worst in their minds,” Geva said.

For these students, Geva said it’s important to communicate with children and talk them through the created anxiety. Emphasize that the horrible things they are imagining in their minds are likely never going to become reality.

These days, students are worried about grades and meeting expectations. They worry about doing well in athletics and participating in various programs. As pressures mount, Geva said a student can stay stressed out and anxious throughout the school year.

Geva said throughout the year, parents should often work toward doing mental health check-ins with both elementary and high-school level children. Working on time management skills and helping to manage required down time can also help relieve pressure and anxiety students feel today.

Geva said parents can create down time by encouraging a child to just go to the grocery store for a bit, go for a calm, relaxing walk or even stress the importance of play time.

“It’s important to do activities that have no real objectives,” Geva said. “Helping to give the child a connection and letting them know they are OK.”

While managing activities and time for elementary students is easier, Geva said overseeing how much high schoolers are relaxing and destressing can be more of a challenge.

Geva said regular communication and encouragement is important for teenagers.

For parents, cutting a child a break is also important, Geva said.

“If a child is really wanting to shift, change or quit an activity – listen to them,” Geva said. “Allow them to adjust to do what is really best for them.”

A child’s gender is also a factor in how much parents should be checking in with their children.

By nature, Geva said girls are encouraged and naturally tend to express themselves and show emotion.

“Boys are a little more tricky,” she said. “It is really a societal thing, and every age is different. It is always important to check in and ask questions regularly.”

For any child, Geva said parents should grow concerned if a child is suddenly displaying different character traits or having abrupt changes in mood.

Having an established relationship will help parents identify and react when children are struggling.

“It is important in that child/parent relationship to establish a routine,” she said. “Make it a habit to keep hanging out and doing things together. Do not get into a habit of only talking to them when there is a problem.”

When it comes to grades and expectations, Geva said parents should keep up with children and have set standards and expectations. However, she recommended only checking grades sporadically to keep tabs on a student rather than daily.

“Children really do want independence,” Geva said. “But for parents, checking grades sporadically, doing routine check-ins with teachers and keeping in touch with other parents can keep you informed about your child.”

Having relationships with other parents is benefi cial, Geva said, because children often leave out details about the day. Having other parents talking and telling each other what is going on can help in keeping tabs on the daily activities of the class.

“When you hear news, confront (your child),” Geva said. “Tell them the news you have heard from other parents.”

As the school year continues, Geva said parents should also promote structured schedules, regular bedtimes and push for good hygiene and eating habits.

Through communication, reasonable expectations and check-ins, Geva said stress and anxiety cannot be completely eliminated for students, but it can be dealt with regularly.