How to better manage emotions?
With the end-of-year examinations around the corner, emotions are running high and sometimes, they can be unmanageable. With the current generation having a better understanding of emoticons than emotions, sometimes it may be challenging for the young ones (and ourselves included) to cope with emotions. With the current ongoing Covid-19 pandemic that encourages many activities to take place online, the struggle to manage emotions is real.
Being able to hide behind the screen, adults and children alike, seem to have forgotten how to express themselves openly. Children especially, tend to keep their feelings and emotions to themselves. So, it is important for us to help them better manage their emotions.
Like adults, children also feel various emotions such as sadness, happiness, anger, stress, etc. But unlike adults, children are not as mature yet, hence they may not be equipped with the bag of emotional tools that are required to handle these diverse emotions. Your children might be confused about their identities, their future, and many other things. They might not be aware of what they are feeling at that moment and might be confused. In such times, we have to offer them a helping hand and set them on the right path.
But, we get that it’s hard to teach your children about their emotions. So, we have some tips for you to try out:
Have a casual chit-chat about emotions
- Your children might not be able to identify what they are feeling. Teach them to label their feelings and how to convey them to others. Teach your children that it is ok to feel different emotions.
- Tell them it’s ok to feel sad, to be angry, and to laugh out loud. Make sure they don’t have misconceptions like ‘showing emotions is a weakness’ and ‘boys aren’t supposed to cry’.
- Teach your children that it is ok to want to talk about their emotions, issues, and problems they have in life. It can be with you, their friends, relatives or teachers.
- Teach your children that it’s ok to ask for help when they need it. Tell them that no one would think any less of them for asking for help. Human society is built on the concept of supporting each other. So, asking for help when we need, is a part of that.
- Offer an ear when they want to talk. Do not be judgemental or show displeasure. Listen patiently and hear them out.
Validate their feelings
When your children talk to you about their emotions, try to validate them. If they come to you and are sad or feeling down, never tell them that they are wrong. Instead, trust what they say and listen to why they have it in their mind. Be open-minded, and don’t project your emotions onto your children.
Keep in mind that validating their emotions doesn’t mean giving in to temper tantrums or accepting illogical requests of theirs. Be willing to talk and reach compromises, but never give in to threats or unreasonable requests.
Be role models
Show them how to deal with their emotions by example. Be responsible and emotionally healthy individuals in front of them. Make sure your home environment is healthy. Try not to quarrel or fight in front of your children. Show how you can be healthy individuals engaging in active conversation and problem-solving.
Spend quality time with your children
Try to set aside time daily for your family. Spend time talking and having fun with your children. Children who grow up in such households grow up to be emotionally fulfilled adults.
Teach them coping skills
Teach your children how to handle failures and how to deal with loss. Healthy coping skills can help prepare your children to face any uncertain event that might arise in their lives. Breathing techniques and meditation can help clear your children’s minds and help them handle their emotions better. Taking cool off periods can help them from overreacting or giving in to anger. Thinking out loud is a great way to avoid impulsive actions.
Do not shelter your children from the world
Never shield your children from all the troubles they have to face. They must learn from experiences. For that, they might need to go through some trials or hard times. Let them deal with it on their own and make sure you offer advice only when they ask.
Don’t overdo with punishments
Children can be unruly at times. And they need to deal with some consequences for it. But don’t be too harsh with your punishments. If possible, treat it like a teaching moment and try to make your child understand what they did wrong and how they can correct their behaviour.
Talk to their teachers and school counsellors
Talk regularly to your children’s teachers and counsellors. They can give you an insight into how your child behaves when they are out of your sight. It can help you gain some new perspective about your child’s emotional health.
Teach them to believe in themselves
Teach your children to believe in themselves. Sometimes, their stress and feelings of insecurity can come from them not believing in themselves. Tell them that they are capable of achieving things they put their minds into. It can help your children deal with negative emotions better.
Sleep and health
A healthy body is essential for the mind to feel good. Proper rest can help your children feel better emotionally. Make sure your children follow proper sleep schedules and have healthy meals.
Seek help when needed
Sometimes, it might be too hard to deal with your children’s emotions, especially if their issues are serious and out of your knowledge. Feel free to ask for help in such instances. Seek professional care if needed.
Children who are emotionally healthy grow up to be successful people. More importantly, they grow up to be happy adults. So, try out these with your children and let us know how it goes. We wish you all the best! 🙂
Exam Smart Tips
Exam Smart Tip #1 – How to Encourage Our Kids to Speak Better?
Exam Smart Tip #2 – How to avoid carelessness?
Exam Smart Tip #3 – Establishing Routines!
Exam Smart Tip #4 – Let’s Read Carefully!
Exam Smart Tip #5 – Beating the Exam Fever!
Exam Smart Tip #6 – How to Eat Right for the Exams?
Exam Smart Tip #7 – How to Avoid a Meltdown?
Exam Smart Tip #8 – Taking Stress out of Tests
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