Children And The Importance Of Their Self-Care And Wellbeing

Times have been tough, especially after the world collectively faced the COVID-19 pandemic. However, after facing one of the most difficult times in our lives, we have all realised how important taking care of ourselves, our well-being, and our mental health are.

Self-care is extremely important, not only because it can help us with our overall well-being but also because it helps us make our relationships with the people around us better. When you take care of yourself, you are better able to be present and engaged with others and are better able to meet their needs as well as your own.

Why is self-care important for children?

But even though as adults we are dealing with a lot of stress and, on top of it, handling several different responsibilities, we can't forget that self-care is something that must be practised by adults and children alike.

The rise of mental disorders has increased among children, especially after and during the pandemic, and that is something that needs our focus.

Aruna Agarwal, the founder of Kidzee (pre-primary) and Mount Litera Zee School (primary) and a qualified child psychologist and behaviour therapist (ABA and Access Consciousness practitioner with a master's in psychology), sheds some light on the same.

"Even before the pandemic, depression and anxiety were common among children but perhaps not discussed. By 2020, 5.6 million children were diagnosed with anxiety problems, and about 2.4 million were a target of depression. Depression is most likely to occur among 1.1% of adolescents aged 10-14 years and 2.8% of 15-19-year-olds. Cases of depression among 3–17-year-olds have risen over the last five years. As per World Health Organization (2021), 3.6% of 10-14 year-olds and 4.6% of 15-19 year-olds suffer from an anxiety disorder," she says.

How do mental health disorders affect a child's day-to-day life?

Mental health disorders like anxiety and depression in general affect a person's day-to-day life. Not only does it make one feel more isolated, but it also takes all their energy to do any daily activity. Where children are concerned, a mental health disorder can affect them in several ways:

It can affect school attendance

One of the most common symptoms of depression is that a person tends to isolate themselves. Meeting peers and going out seem like tasks that they don't feel like doing. Other than that, going to school is something they would avoid. They will probably feel sick or find reasons not to go, leading to low attendance.

The ability to study

Anxiety and depression fog your mind. The ability to concentrate can go sideways in this case, which can mean that the ability to study in general can get very difficult.

No participation in extra-curricular activities

Children with depression and anxiety may have difficulty forming and maintaining relationships with peers and adults. This can mean that they would avoid taking part in any extracurricular activity that may ask them to socialise or communicate with others.

Risk of self-harm

In many extreme cases, children with depression and anxiety are at a higher risk of self-harm and suicide. It's important to take any signs of suicidal ideation or behaviour seriously and seek professional help immediately.

How can caretakers help children?

The adult in a child's life can help them immensely to reap the rewards of taking care of themselves. As per Aruna Agarwal, this is what they can do:

Encourage them to share their feelings

The mental and psychological benefits of sharing feelings and communicating can not only help a child, but can also help them later in their future relationships. Telling them since childhood to share feelings will make them feel safe and seen.

Build a strong bond

Building a strong bond where you spend time with your children. Listen to them. Tell them about yourselves, and actually being interested in their lives can boost their confidence in themselves and in you.

Praise children

Praising children for their efforts even if the outcome was not what you expected will encourage them to work on themselves and participate in activities more.

Practising self-care

Children definitely imitate what they see. So, if you are someone who is smoking or drinking in front of them, or if you are someone who does not care about yourself and works continuously, they will see that and register it for themselves. So, try doing some hobbies in front of them so that they think it is okay to do the same.

Why is self-care important for children?

As per Aruna Agarwal, self-care is extremely important for children. She adds that it "reduces the risk of children developing mental health conditions such as anxiety and depression. It may even prepare them to deal with current and future stressors in a healthy way. Teaching children about self-care at a young age trains them to prioritise their mental and physical well-being as they grow."

It can improve physical health

Since a child's body is still growing and thriving, self-care can help them develop in a great way. If a child is physically healthy at an earlier stage, it is highly likely that the body will have a less negative impact in the later stages of life.

Mental health

Childhood experiences can shape a child's mental and emotional well-being. In fact, childhood trauma is a real thing, and therapists have been trying to make people understand this on a much more commercial level. So, positive experiences during childhood can help children develop resilience and coping skills that will serve them throughout their lives.

Overall success

Children who are healthy, happy, and supported are more likely to succeed in school and in life. They are more likely to form healthy relationships, have successful careers, and contribute positively to their communities.

Overall, by prioritising self-care, you can improve your overall well-being and live a happier, healthier life.