Being a child is such a rollercoaster. They can go through such a wide range of emotions on a daily basis from all-encompassing joy to fear, frustration and everything in between. Something I hear a lot from the mums I work with is concern as to how to help them navigate those emotions, anxiety in particular.
Whether they are nervous of the approaching school year, travelling to new places or any other changes you are facing as a family, here are my 3 top tips for reducing anxiety in children:
Children need to know they are loved
This one seems so obvious however do you know what makes your child feel loved? There are five love languages however we have a tendency to focus on the ones that make us feel loved. Physical touch might be something that makes you feel loved however for them it might be words of affirmation that fulfil that need.
If you pay close attention you will be able to tell what their love language is. My youngest for example will ask for me to dress him when he is feeling a little anxious. His love language is acts of service, so this is his way of letting me know that he wants me to show him some love. Hitting or lashing out can often be a sign of anxiety in a child who needs physical touch.
Children want to be in control
One of the reasons why the past year has been so tough on us all has been this lack of control. Things that we took for granted got taken away and we have little control over what happens next.
Children have that same need for control however how often do they actually get it? They spend their days at school following a certain set of rules only to come home to another set.
An easy way to give them some of that control without losing control yourself is through giving them options such as the outfit they would like to wear, whether they would like to play in the garden or go to the local park etc. This will help them feel more secure and willing to accept the rules put in place for their own well-being.
Use their sense of smell
Unlike our other senses, this one is linked directly to the part of our brain responsible for memories and emotions.
Children, in particular, rely on this part of the brain heavily, as the logical part of their brain is not yet fully developed, which makes aromatherapy all the more effective on them.
It is an easy, highly effective and safe way to help them manage their emotions in a healthy way. These are my personal favourites when helping my clients:
- Flower oils such as lavender, chamomile and rose which have calming and soothing properties. Rose in particular strengthens the bond between mother and child which makes it the perfect aroma to help with separation anxiety.
- Tree oils such as frankincense, eucalyptus and fir oils provide grounding and reassurance. This makes them particularly helpful when facing a new situation such as the first day of school, travelling somewhere new or medical appointments.
- Citrus oils such as orange and bergamot are perfect to lift their mood, help with focus and encourage self-belief. They have the added benefit of supporting the immune system making them perfect for these times.
Taking the time to breathe in the air when on a walk and discussing the different aromas they come across is the perfect way to help them become aware of how those smells make them feel and what memories they might bring up.
Huge thanks to Natasha Albright for this insightful guest blog post.
Natasha is a children’s health and well-being advocate, specialising in toddlers and primary age children. She believes in taking a holistic approach and getting to the root cause of issues rather than simply addressing the symptoms. She uses a mixture of gentle parenting techniques, children safe essential oils and other natural products for healthy, happy children.
To find out more about what she offers or book a free consultation, visit her website.
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