If you can reduce your child’s stress, he or she is more likely to learn new material at school. How can you help your child relax, pay attention and learn?
Often I find that parents need stress reduction as much as their children do. The concept is much like the safety lecture you receive when you board an airplane. You, as the adult, must put on your oxygen mask so you can help your child with his. Your need for oxygen must be met first, just as your need for lower stress must be taken care of first. Yes, as parents, we tend to put ourselves last. In this instance, I need you to make yourself a priority.
How can we reduce your stress? Let’s start with the basics.
Take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
When you get plenty of sleep, eat a healthy diet (which you should be doing to model for your child anyway), drink plenty of water, and move during the day, your physical self is nourished and has the energy to take care of your children.
At work, take all the breaks you’re allotted, and simply rest. If you run at full speed every day, you have nothing left to give your child, who needs you to be her protector, cheerleader, and greatest advocate. If you work at a desk, stretch your body every hour. Move your eyes from the computer screen and focus them on objects far away.
How about your mental and emotional health? When you make time to read uplifting books or listen to music, take quiet down time to reflect and think, and organize your day, you’re better equipped to help your child. Spend some time outside every day. Being in nature grounds you and relaxes your soul.
If you can, talk to someone about your fears and anxieties.
We all need someone to talk to who can help us see things clearly and put our lives in perspective. A good friend, a relative, someone who participates in activities with you, or a trusted coworker may serve as a confidante.
If your stress levels feel out of control, you may want to talk to a professional. Often, we turn to substances we shouldn’t for a short-term fix, but those cause more issues than they help.
Create the most relaxing home environment you can.
Remember, dyslexia is worsened by stress, so you want to reduce your child’s anxiety as much as you can. Be an open, affectionate parent your child can come to with any problem or concern. When your child is hungry, feed him well. When she is upset, give her love and comfort physically and emotionally.
Simply being there, being present, is the best gift you can give your child.
Let your children play without being managed.
Not everything needs to be a competition. Just let your kids be kids. Encourage them to go outside and breathe fresh air and just play. Help them create new games that everyone can be part of. Keep it simple.
Maintain routines as much as possible.
The reptilian brain must be quieted and relaxed for your child to effectively reverse dyslexia. This brain thrives on routine, so keep your child’s routine as close to the same each day as you can. If something needs to change, tell him about it before it happens and quell his fears or anxieties. Giving him choices gives him control and helps ease the reptilian brain’s fears.
Stress is part of everyday life. Learning to harness our energy and not fall pray to ways of losing valuable energy is worth the effort. Stress wears us down. It depletes our joy, makes us tired and impatient. Our kids deserve the best life possible. Let’s model good stress reduction for them so they can learn and be successful.
If you or your kids are seriously stressed by dyslexia which can make school really hard and stressful, check our our Books Neural Therapy (see: https://DrPhyllisBooks.com/What is BNT)on our website. BNT offers real help, in as little as five days, for dyslexia and ADHD. Help is available.
We would love to talk with you about your child. Please call 512 331-0668 for a free 15 minute consultation.
