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This Article is From Our January 2008 Advice & Tips:

Kids and Stress

Stress is a natural part of life, even for children and adolescents. How do you know if your child is experiencing a high degree of stress and how can you help? Physical signs of stress, such as nausea, headaches, changes in appetite, nail biting, sleeping difficulties and rashes are often mistaken as an illness. Therefore, be sure to consider your child’s stress level as a factor when he or she is ill. Additional signs of stress include decreased concentration, decreased school performance, irritability, boredom, and withdrawal.

During stressful times, help your child deal with stress by identifying the stressor and experiment with stress-reducing strategies to find what works for him or her. Remember, this may very well be different from what works for you during stressful times. As with adults, children and adolescents can improve their ability to handle stress and even head it off by maintaining healthy habits, such as exercising regularly, eating healthy foods and getting enough sleep.

At the Prevention Office we have staff that can talk to you and you’re kids about stress. Topics include: What’s causing your stress?, signs of stress overload, unhealthy ways kids teens respond to stress, coping basics, tips for reducing stress, the art of problem solving, relaxation techniques, and giving yourself a break.

For more information on current classes being offered or to learn more about stress, please call the Worcester County Health Department – Office of Prevention @ 410-632-0056

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