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When we think of self-care, we often think of it as something that only adults need to prioritize. However, self-care is equally crucial for children. With the pressure to perform in school or extracurricular activities, the mounting stress can quickly overwhelm them. As parents, it’s our responsibility to teach our kids the importance of taking care of themselves. In this blog post from Made By Kids, we’ll discuss eight activities that can help your child reset, refresh, and prepare for the days ahead.

Find ways to promote healthy eating

Teaching your child to eat healthily from a young age can have long-term benefits. Encourage them to consume whole grains, fruits, and vegetables, and limit processed foods. Kaplan Early Learning Company suggests educating them on the importance of a balanced diet, and trying to involve them in cooking meals to help them develop a positive relationship with food. By setting a good example and making healthy choices yourself, you can inspire your child to develop lifelong healthy eating habits that will contribute to their overall well-being.

Make sure you prioritize your kids

It’s easy to get caught up in our own work and to-do lists, but it’s vital to prioritize your kids above all else. Carve out special bonding times such as having dinner together or playing board games. Create a safe, nurturing environment where your child feels loved, heard, seen, and acknowledged.

Another way to prioritize your kids – and your family’s health as a whole – is to stay on top of regular checkups with the doctor. This is also a way to emulate healthy habits that your kids will carry with them into the future. Checkups are usually covered by health insurance, so check with your insurance carrier to see about their levels of coverage. Even if you’re a freelancer or don’t have employer-sponsored insurance, there are still ways to get insurance, such as through the ACA marketplace or by joining the Freelancers Union, which offers policies to members.

Make room in the day for playtime

As adults, we tend to underestimate the power of play for children. Engage your child in physical activities such as running, jumping, playing outside, or participating in sports. Even something as simple as taking a walk around the neighborhood or at a nearby park can be made fun. If you don’t live in a pedestrian-friendly neighborhood, look for an area with a high Walk Score, which measures the walkability of any given locale.

Indulging in imaginative, unstructured playtime can also help your child’s cognitive, emotional, and social development. If your children are old enough, teach them the benefits of martial arts, which could be an excellent way to develop an exercise routine that excites them.

Foster friendships and social connections

Human connection is crucial to one’s well-being. Encourage your child to develop friendships, participate in activities that interest them, or even consider volunteer work. Having a supportive community can help your child build self-esteem, confidence, and a sense of belonging.

Introduce your child to journaling

FeelLinks notes that journaling can be an effective tool for children to express their emotions, regulate their thoughts, and make sense of their day-to-day life. Provide your child with a notebook where they can jot down their thoughts and feelings, or help them create a daily gratitude list.

Create a peaceful home environment

Creating a healthy home environment for your child is essential. In addition to bringing in houseplants to improve air quality and ensuring there’s adequate lighting, encourage the kids to declutter their rooms. Sit down with them and come up with a plan to declutter and organize their playroom and bedrooms, such as grouping toys and putting everything in its proper place. A peaceful home can reduce anxiety levels, promote productivity, and improve sleep quality.

Teach them deep breathing exercises

Deep breathing is a simple technique that can help your child regulate their emotions and manage stress. Encourage them to take deep breaths, count to ten, and exhale. You can even teach them mindfulness practices such as paying attention to their senses, like focusing on the sound of the birds chirping or feeling the sun on their face.

Upgrade your child’s bedding

A good night’s sleep is essential for a child’s health and well-being. Consider investing in seasonally appropriate bed linen, like breathable cotton sheets and a down duvet to ensure they stay comfortable and cool at night. Establish a consistent bedtime routine to promote restful sleep.

Establish a consistent bedtime

Establishing a consistent bedtime routine is essential for encouraging restful sleep, especially for children. A predictable routine helps signal to their bodies that it’s time to wind down and prepare for sleep. Choose a bedtime that allows your child to get an adequate amount of sleep each night. Be consistent with this timing, even on weekends, to help regulate their internal clock.

Teaching children the importance of self-care can have long-lasting benefits. Encouraging healthy eating habits, prioritizing playtime, building supportive communities, ensuring a peaceful home environment, and establishing consistent bedtime routines are all vital activities that can help your child reset, refresh, and prepare for the days ahead. Remember, when we nurture our child’s well-being, we foster a sense of resilience, self-love, and emotional regulation, which will serve them for years to come.