Five daily habits you can practice to support your child’s mental health

Mental health is an important part of our well-being. It’s important to support the mental health of our kids because it can help them succeed in life. Mental health also plays a key role in how they manage life stressors and troubles, so it’s important that we do what we can to support their mental wellness. Mending your child’s mental health isn’t an easy task but easing their fears and worries may not be difficult if you put your best efforts into supporting their mental health. Here are five habits you can practice to support your child’s mental health.

1. Talk about emotions

The first step towards supporting your child’s mental health is talking about emotions. Emotions are what guide our behaviors. They make us act and react in certain ways. They’re also vital for social connections and relationships. We need to understand and accept that emotions are a normal and essential part of being human. Undoing the cultural stigma around emotions is key to helping your child feel safe and comfortable talking about their feelings. Acknowledge and validate their emotions. Let your child know they don’t need to “fake it till they make it” and they aren’t “being a baby” if they have feelings that need to be expressed and heard.

2. Take a break together

Taking a break from a task can help your child manage stress and regain some mental clarity. It can give your kid a chance to come up with a different solution or perspective on the problem. And it can also help them step away from the pressures of everyday life. Take a break from time to time so your child can let go of some of their stress and worries. Go for a walk, or take a day off from school to give your kid some time out.

3. Exercise together

Physical exercise is a great way to support your child’s mental health. It can help your kid manage stress, improve their mood, and improve their sleep. And when your child is feeling better, they’re more likely to make better decisions and have a healthier outlook on life. Take your kid to the park and play a game of catch if they’re young. Or if you have older kids, sign them up for a sport. Try to exercise with your child as much as you can. This can be a great way to bond with your child and help them feel better.

4. Help your child develop a growth mindset

A growth mindset is a philosophy that lays the foundation for your child to be resilient and persevere in life. It can help your child build their confidence and push them towards a better future. A growth mindset is built on the idea that we all have the ability to improve and get better at things. We can learn and develop skills that can be applied to different areas of our lives. Let your child know that they don’t need to be perfect or have all the answers. Let them know that it’s normal to make mistakes. And that failing is an important part of growing and learning. Praise your child for trying and succeeding at different things and let them know that you believe in their ability to grow and learn.

5. Show compassion and ask questions

Asking questions can be a great way to show your child that you’re there for them and that you’re interested in their well-being and mental health. But it can also be a great way to support your child’s mental health. When your child feels comfortable enough to share and open up with you, you have the opportunity to show them compassion and support their mental health. Use your child’s worries and fears as an opportunity to offer a listening ear and some useful advice. Show your child that you’re there for them and that you care. Your child needs to know that it’s okay to have fears and concerns. They need to know that it’s okay to open up and ask for help when they need it.

Conclusion & Resources

Kids are constantly developing and growing so their mental health needs to be supported on an ongoing basis. You can’t just do one thing and call it a day. Kids can be hard to deal with sometimes. Their schedules and lives can be hectic and overwhelming. It’s important to address your child’s mental health as well as play a key role in how they manage life stressors and troubles. Mental health is a lifelong journey that requires consistent effort from everyone in a child’s life. And it’s a journey that will be worth it in the end.

National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)

• Children and Mental Health: Is This Just a Stage?
• Child and Adolescent Mental Health
• PANDAS—Questions and Answers (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections)
• Bipolar Disorder in Children and Teens
• Helping Children and Adolescents Cope With Traumatic Events

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