Author: docmac

Boosting Your Child’s Self-Esteem

 

Self-esteem is something many people struggle with, but it is especially challenging for kids. As a child or pre-teen, there are many pressures in your everyday life to fit in and just be accepted. Working on your confidence as a child is crucial, and will follow you as you get older.

 

If you have children, you will want to improve their self-esteem as much as possible, which can be done with these easy tips.

 

 

Give Compliments and Praise

 

Don’t underestimate how powerful a compliment or praise can be, especially from a parent. Your child wants to know they’re doing a good job, that their efforts are appreciated, and have encouragement to keep going. It can really boost their confidence when you praise them when they work hard, whether they “won” or not. This shouldn’t be empty praise constantly, but when your child puts in an effort to do something or try something new.

 

 

Allow Your Children to Make Choices

 

Believe it or not, your children can grow up with better self-esteem when they are left to make their own choices. Within reason of course, but you want them to understand that in life, there are many choices, and you have so much confidence in them, you believe they will make the right ones. If you never let your child make any decisions in their younger years, they don’t really gain this type of confidence in themselves.

 

 

Be a Good Role Model for Self Confidence

 

If you want your child to grow up with confidence, you have to show by example. Be someone who doesn’t put yourself down, or that is constantly making actions or comments to make them think you don’t believe in yourself. Put in an effort, try new challenging things, and talk with your child when you fail at something, to tell them you’re not upset because you put in the effort. Your children are watching everything you do and going to take after you, even when you don’t realize it.

 

 

Practice Positivity and Kindness

 

To be confident and have self-esteem also means to be humble. Raise your child to be a kind, gentle, honest person. They should understand the importance of maintaining positivity and light, even when the world seems a little dark. They gain confidence through knowing they are a good person who is trying to make the world a better place.

 

 

Keep an Open Line of Communication

 

Lastly, try to keep communication open between you and your children. Don’t force them to tell you things, but always let them know they can talk to you about anything, without judgment or ridicule. They never need to feel embarrassed. When you know more about what your kids are going through, it makes it easier for you to help them find their confidence in areas where it might be lacking.

 

 

 

How to Ease Panic During Isolation

When you are isolating or in quarantine, it is really easy to feel stress and panic. You
might notice that it gets worse over time, the longer you spend alone or without your
normal socializing. If you are feeling like your panic is getting worse, here are some tips
that can help.

Get Information From Trusted Sources Only

Stop getting your news and information from social media. You need to look at trusted
sources only. Not only will these reduce how often you are absorbing the news, but it
allows you to get only the facts, without all the opinions and commentary. This can be
reassuring as you don’t need to know people’s take on what “might” happen unless it is
based on facts.

Some reputable sources included the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and World
Health Organization (WHO).

Set Up a Normal Routine

Something you will hear about over and over again when it comes to isolation or
quarantine, no matter why you have to isolate, is to have a normal routine. When you
find yourself spending long periods of time at home, the panic sets in when things are
off. If you feel like you have to suddenly switch to a brand new schedule, and nothing
feels familiar.

To combat this, try to create a routine that becomes a new temporary normal. If you can
include some elements similar to what your routine was prior to isolation, that will help
tremendously. For example, if when you were working outside the home, you always
ate lunch at 1pm, try to do the same thing now. It will feel more familiar, and can often
ease a little panic.

Focus on What You Can Control

You can’t do anything about what is happening in the world right now, except keep
yourself and your family safe. Instead of worrying about what you have no control over,
just focus on what you CAN control. This might mean setting up a schedule to do
homework with your kids, getting regular exercise, cooking meals at home, reading or
doing other self-care, washing your hands, and so much more. These are things that
are good for your mental and physical health, and that you have full control over.

Work with a Mental Health Professional

If you have severe anxiety that is leading to panic, then you might need to talk with a
mental health professional. There are many therapists who work remotely that you can
talk to on the phone or online, if you are not able to leave your home and visit their
office.

How to Focus on Your Mental and Physical Health (When You’re Home)

Whether you are quarantined and on self-isolation or just spending more time at home,
you need to focus on both your mental and physical health. They are both vital to
keeping your sanity and focusing on general wellness.

Take it Easy and Give Yourself a Break

During this time, try not to stress about being perfect and doing everything right. Nobody
can “win” at being home and being productive. Whether you are spending more time at
home because of an illness, virus, or other reason for your isolation, putting too many
expectations on yourself is going to make your stress and panic worse. This will
severely affect your mental health.

Give yourself a break and remember you are trying your best. Set small goals that can
be achieved easily, but be open and flexible for things to change.

Know What You Need Right Now

What are your biggest needs right now? Take a few minutes to consider what you need
the most, both for your mental and physical health. Using a journal is a great way to do
this. Write down anything you think would improve your life while at home, or would
make it easier.

This might mean having a schedule or routine, talking to friends online or on the phone,
finding a therapist who you can work with remotely, getting in a little exercise or getting
more fresh air. The sooner you understand what you need the most, the faster you can
switch up your schedule to improve your overall health and wellbeing.

Get Your Body Moving

While at home, try to find ways to get exercise and move your body. This can be both
exercise inside and outside your home. If you are on strict quarantine and can’t go
outside, then find online workouts you can do. There is a lot that can be done even
without equipment, like stretching, yoga, Pilates, and bodyweight workouts.

If you can go outside, go for a walk, walk the dogs, do some gardening or home
improvements, or take a family stroll every evening.

Combine Treats with Nutrition

While nutrition is very important for your physical health, restricting yourself and trying to
be on a “diet” while in isolation is not going to do your mental health any favors. An easy
method is to have a tread for every nutritional thing you eat. If you are going to have a
piece of fruit as a snack, maybe add a few pieces of dark chocolate. Have dessert after
your healthy dinner, or enjoy popcorn while watching a movie after dinner.