Self-care is a crucial aspect of an individual’s well-being. It involves practices that help maintain and improve one’s physical, mental, and emotional health.
Every year, Self-Care Month is celebrated starting on June 24 and ends with Self-Care Day on July 24. The date was particularly chosen to symbolize that self-care can be practiced 24 hours a day and 7 days a week.
But self-care isn’t just for adults. Kids also face various stressors such as pressure to do well in tests, anxiety around making friends, and life changes. Instilling healthy habits at a young age teaches them to prioritize and care for their physical, mental, and emotional needs. So what healthy habits should kids adopt?
Self-Care Habits for Kids
Establishing self-care activities doesn’t have to be complicated. Here are five simple self-care habits for kids that they can apply to their daily routines:
1. Be active. Get kids moving with any exercise or sport they enjoy. Whether it’s morning stretches or ball games, physical activity can improve their fitness.
Besides the health benefits, physically fit children are also better equipped to handle emotional challenges. Moreover, active kids report feeling happier and experiencing less anxiety.
2. Spend time outdoors. Nature breaks can be great for learning as they offer experiences that stimulate the kids’ five senses. In nature, they can gaze at the sky, smell the fresh grass, and listen to the birds.
Being outside can also help kids manage stress and improve their behavior and impulse control.
3. Do arts and crafts. Creativity is a wonderful outlet for self-expression. Kids can communicate their thoughts and feelings through imaginative use of materials.
When they engage in art activities, their focus is on the project instead of stressors. Upon completing the activity, they get a sense of accomplishment which in turn enhances their self-esteem and confidence.
4. Take screen breaks. Lessening kids’ screen time enables them to get proper rest and engage in skill development activities. As screen time before going to bed can stimulate children, it is advisable to replace phone usage with recreational activities like reading books or playing musical instruments.
Besides calming benefits, alternative activities help in kids’ cognitive and emotional development.
5. Socialize. Socializing with friends and family gives kids a sense of belonging and emotional support. In particular, children’s friendships are closely linked to children’s positive well-being. Childhood friendships are said to be predictive of higher self-worth and better coping skills later in life.
Similarly, family time teaches kids the importance of social connection and leads to stronger emotional ties.
Conclusion
Providing kids with quality education and enriching opportunities to have a better life is just as important as teaching them proper self-care practices that will help them handle life’s challenges. Adding these simple yet impactful habits into kids’ daily routines can effectively nurture them to have healthy well-being and coping strategies.
Author: Gwen Jane Duran
Sources: brighthorizons.com, explorelearning.co.uk, msu.edu, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
