10 Best Mental Health Day Activities for Kids You Must Try
Stress is becoming a common issue among children. Yes, it has been proved that, even at this tender age, children feel overwhelmed and stressed out. The two main reasons for this have been attributed to the never-ending curriculum and the expectations of the parents.
We can blame the education system, society, school, and many other aspects but we will still be far from a solution. The goal is to find a way to tackle the constant stress. Many children don’t share what they are feeling and, most of the time, their emotions are all over the place.
Can you blame the kids for being glued to the screen all the time to avoid the thoughts in their minds? No, because you have not given your child enough time to make them comfortable enough to come to you with their problems. Have you?
You can’t just jump your kid and start asking questions now that your child has been in the situation for long enough. Children fear that their feelings are insignificant for you and they will be mocked for what they are feeling. Even worse, children often think of running away.
Now, to overcome these issues, leading therapists around the world suggest giving a day off to your kid and celebrating it as Mental Health Day for your child. In this blog, we will discuss what are the most simple and fun activities that you can do with your kid on Mental Health Day.
Best Mental Health Day Activities for Kids
Here are some of the most effective Mental Health Day activities, backed by research, that will give your child a necessary emotional reset:
East or West, Play Time is the Best
The first step towards the mental and emotional well-being of your children should start with something they can enjoy. According to Megan Gunner from the University of Minnesota, play is the perfect way to reduce stress among children. She further stresses her point by stating, “Fantasy play allows children to create a world where they decide what happens and they can predict what goes on. Control and predictability are two pillars of stress reduction.” Moreover, the play also allows your child to express fear and unprocessed emotions.
Exercise is Fun When You Do It With Dad and Mum
Exercises don’t always have to be dull and boring. You have multiple options for fun and great exercises like aerobics, Zumba, or any dance routine that you can enjoy with your child. You can also play any game like football, cricket, etc. Such exercises are quite effective to overcome depression, stress, and anxiety.
In fact, you can also include 10 minutes of such exercises in your child’s daily routine as a part of the extracurricular activities for kids. However, don’t forget that the ultimate aim is to have fun and there is no need to focus on perfection at all.
Journaling is the Best Way to Outpour Everything
Your child has bottled up a lot of emotions and feelings because he/she does not feel comfortable sharing them with anyone. Maintaining a journal could be the perfect way for your munchkin to write and express true emotions without the fear of being judged.
This also builds confidence among young children because once they put it in the journal, they feel much lighter and better. You can give a journal to your baby on Mental Health Day and ask your child to take it to a secret place and write everything that is bothering him/her. You can further encourage your child to maintain the journal regularly.
Make the Most of the Day by Going Out
Nothing bursts stress for children as easily as the prospect of going out. You may already know about the multiple physical benefits of being close to nature, but do you know that nature reduces the circulation of the stress hormones adrenaline? Yes, and it also improves the emotional experience and lowers short-term anxiety and depression.
You can also use your garden area or go to a nearby park with water, books, board games, and something to eat.
Last but not least, remember that you have to give undivided attention to your child and, therefore, both parents should be present.
