Natural Ways to Treat Your Child's Anxiety: Treating Anxiety in Children Can Be Done at Home With Extra Time and Patience

Natural Ways to Treat Your Child's Anxiety:  Treating Anxiety in Children Can Be Done at Home With Extra Time and Patience
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Symptoms of Anxiety In Children

All children experience some type of anxiety, whether it’s separation anxiety, going to a new school, taking a test, monsters or spiders. As children grow, so do their concerns, and they may experience anxiety over their fears of real world issues. Anxiety becomes a problem not based on what your child is anxious about, but on how they are handling the stress.

Your child may need some assistance in dealing with their anxiety when it seems like they are worrying too much, they feel constantly tense, and/or their stress is preventing them from enjoying normal activities. Some common symptoms of too much stress are headaches, stomachaches, problems sleeping, perfectionism, feeling overly responsible, unnecessary apologizing, being self-critical, being inconsolable, experiencing a disruption in normal life activities or feeling different from normal kids.

When treating anxiety in children naturally, it is important to be able recognize that in some situations the time may come to seek professional help, and it is important to do immediately.

Natural Ways to Treat Anxiety in Children

There are many natural ways to treat anxiety in children. However, keep in mind treating anxiety in children will take extra time and patience. Start by trying to remember what kid stress feel like. Try to think back to your first dance or a trip to the dentist when you were a child. Then think about what was comforting to you. Talk to your child and see if you can help ease their fears with a story from your childhood. Explain to them it’s normal to be nervous and that the feeling will go away. Be sure to give your child plenty of time to talk it out while you patiently listen. Sometimes that is all your child will need.

Always try to prepare your child for changes and surprises in life. If they are going to the dentist for the first time, explain to them what is going to happen. Try and tour a new school or neighborhood before the big day. Make sure your expectations for your child are reasonable, and that they are able to meet them most of the time. A child who is worried that they are always going to be a disappointment is a child that is stressed out.

Make sure your child has enough time to be a kid and that their schedule has plenty of room for playtime. Remind your child that you are always there for them if they need help. Children need to know they are loved unconditionally by their parents, no matter what happens in life.

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Photo Credit: anxietydisordersontario.ca