Mental Health Activities To Do With Children – Strengthen Child’s Mind
Mental health is a very critical topic but rarely discussed. People find it uncomfortable talking about it. If the mind is not sound, it will be difficult for the body to operate. Why is this topic ignored and not given so much importance? This is because children don’t want to disclose it to family, friends or teachers. Schools play an essential role in raising awareness. This article focuses on some mental health activities that one can easily incorporate at home or school.
List of Some Mental Health Activities
Set A Purpose
If the child sets a purpose for why he is doing a particular thing, his intention of doing that job will be clear. For Ex, we can ask our children to note down the activities they will perform and why?
Ask them what their goal is? Are they ready to put in extra efforts for reaching it?
- Will they achieve the target for the day?
- Would they need any help or support from others?
- Would that make them proud?
Setting an intention can be made a daily practice to benefit mental health.
Drawing and Colouring
This is the easiest and the best way to focus and help with anxiety issues. By mindful colouring, the child focuses on using their imagination creatively. They choose their own colours and designs. This makes them feel independent and responsible. It reduces the stressed mind and calms your brain. It draws their attention away from other thoughts and concentrates on the present moment, which teaches them to let go of things.
Overcoming The Stigma
Mental health is like any other illness and we should not ignore it. It’s high time we overcome this stigma and make people realize that there’s nothing to hide or criticize about mental health.
Children should be taught to speak up openly and seek medical help if need be. They should be encouraged to discuss it freely with friends, family or relatives. Standing up to mental health stigma and speaking out against it will boost confidence who are silently suffering.
Walking and Exercising
Encouraging children to go for a walk in nature reduces anxiety and stress and improves overall health. Walking up early and going out in fresh air calms their body and relaxes their soul.
Walking and exercises can help to improve self-esteem and decrease negative thoughts. Check here some Tips & Toys To Teach Develop Self-Control In Kids.
Meditation
Meditation means focusing on one’s mind for a while. It relaxes your mind and gives inner peace. Meditation can also be used as a tool to improve sleep. A few days of meditation will show positive changes in the child’s health and behaviour.
Positivity and Gratefulness
Research shows that positive and grateful children are content and happy from within. Mental health data shows that children who think less negative and are thankful for whatever they have don’t face stress and anxiety issues. They believe in appreciating others for their thoughts and work, which makes them a better person.
Hobbies and Interest
Children who involve themselves in the activities that please them are relatively happier than others. Music, painting, reading, gardening etc., can give the child a break from the routine and recharge them. When the child does something he loves, he engages himself completely and focuses only on the hobby, giving him quality time and satisfaction. This is always one of the best mental health activities one can opt.
Picnic & Adventure Trips
Children feel excited when they get a chance to go for picnics or outings frequently. It may help them boost their immunity, and their brain would function better. Going out would refresh their mood and improve their sleep. Spending good time outside calms the disturbed mind and reduces the chances of anxiety and depression. Going out in greenery, enjoying nature, and feeling the fresh air has many benefits that even doctors prescribe. Read here how ‘Kids’ mental health suffering has become impossible to ignore.
Express Your Feelings & Emotions
When the child is stressed or feels lonely or depressed, the best way is to express it. Expressing their feelings doesn’t make them weak. If the child talks openly about his feelings, he is helping himself overcome the problem and relieve his stress. As teachers, parents, and friends, we need to encourage them to express themselves freely so that it doesn’t kill them from within.
Another way to express your thoughts could be journaling. In earlier days, children used secret diaries to openly write about the problems they were facing or any issues without being judged. If the child writes down his thought’s; clearly, It will help gain control over his emotions and mental health.
Set A Routine
Routines can be fun if appropriately implemented. We need to make it interesting for children. Their health benefits will make them wonder why they didn’t start one earlier.
No routine often means having the constant tension of “What if this is not done”? If a child doesn’t follow a routine, he’ll constantly be stressed and worried about yesterday’s to-do list.
He’ll stay awake worrying about it and spoil his health. If a routine is set, a child knows what to eat and at the correct time. If there is no routine, he will lag, and his overall health will be affected.
A routine can help reduce stress and avoid last-minute tension. If we have a relaxed mind, it can help reduce the risk of many heart diseases. Routine is important and positively impacts health, motivation, and self-esteem.
Conclusion
Although the mental health activities mentioned above do not serve as a “cure” for mental disorders, they are helpful and essential for maintaining good mental health. We need to remember that some mental issues can be severe – so it is better to seek help from your physician or a professional if necessary.
Slowly people are realizing the importance of these mental health activities and introducing them in schools, and helping in spreading awareness.
There are many cases where a child is dealing with anxiety, stress, and depression and doesn’t know how to cope with it, its high time we treat mental health just as important as physical health. It deserves the same quality of support.
