It is sad but true. While as parents we generally try to make sure that our children are happy and healthy, often, it is our stress that affects them the most, on a regular basis. And the worst part is that we may not even be aware of it!
It is possible that you already noticed your child behaving in an anxious way, especially after you were stressed out. Or, you were worried and anxious and saw the worry reflected in your child, too?
You will be surprised to realize how quickly our kids can pick up our emotions and feelings, and then project them on to themselves.
This is, even more, the reason we need to be careful, and take care of our overall health, including mental health, so that we can help our children stay happy and stress-free.
Your mood can increase your child’s risk of various mental health disorders
According to a few studies, the amount of stress you have when you are pregnant, or even after you deliver your baby, can have a lasting effect on your child’s mental makeup.
Moms who stress more and are more worried about their baby’s well-being and other things often pass on the stress and anxiety to their newborns or young children. Stress during pregnancy can actually increase your child’s overall risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
Also, genetics play a major role in your child’s overall developmental and neurological health, or the risk of developmental and neurological disorders.
When you are pregnant, being stressed increases the levels of the hormone cortisol, which can trigger your unborn baby’s brain to develop in a different way.
In such a situation, your unborn baby’s brain will start sending signals to prepare baby for various threats that may be coming up, changing the natural course of overall development.
4 Quick ways that will immediately help you ease your stress
We all stress at different times, but it is important to take care of our mental health. While there will be many instances that can make you lose your cool and feel angry, worried or frustrated, try out these quick methods to reduce stress.
- Relax. Things will happen at their own pace, so don’t try to do everything at once. If you have to choose between cleaning up the house or letting your child have all the toys on the floor, go with the second option.
- Breathe. Sit down, take a deep breath in and slowly breathe out. Stop talking and repeat the breathing. Do this for about 10 times, at least.
- Distract yourself. If something is stressing you out, let it go for now. Flip through a magazine, play with your baby, go out with the kids for a walk.
- Do not listen to everyone. As a parent, this is the biggest mistake you can make. More opinions mean you get more confused. You will be the best judge for what is right for your child, so trust your instincts the most.
This article was originally published on theIndusparent
READ: Husbands contribute to mom stress twice as much as the kids do!
