Healthy Ways for the Whole Family to Reduce Stress at Home

Photo by Jimmy Dean on Unsplash

For many of us, stress has become an accepted fact of life. After all, living in the midst of a major pandemic is an inherently stressful experience. However, experiencing constant anxiety is extremely bad for you, both emotionally and physically. Moreover, stress tends to reverberate in families. One family member’s anxiety leaves them strung out and touchy and they may react harshly to something minor, raising stress levels for those around them, which leaves them touchy in turn. This can lead to an overall unkind and unpleasant atmosphere in your house, and it can make it even harder for any of you to truly relax.

 Fortunately, there are plenty of healthy, productive ways that the whole family can use to reduce stress. Here’s a look at a few ideas for how you and your loved ones can learn how to release anxiety and support one another along the way:

 Find the Fun

 If all we experience day to day is work or school, we’re naturally going to start to feel pretty burnt out. Since it’s hard to schedule much else into life safely right now, however, that’s how most of our days tend to work out. That’s why it’s so important to find low-risk activities your family can do — together or solo — to have some fun and let off steam.

 For example, video games can be a great tool for this. There are games to suit every interest and ability level, and playing can offer entertainment, as well as a sense of satisfaction. Plus, kids can use online games to have completely risk-free interactions with friends and family out of town. There are even cognitive benefits for kids to be had from video games — when done in moderation, of course. Just make sure your internet connection can keep up with online gameplay, however — especially if you also have people working or studying from home.

Of course, you should also try to find screen-free activities your family can do together. For example, you can schedule a weekly board game night into your routine. If you’re worried about the competitive nature of some games sparking fights between stressed-out kids, look into collaborative board games. This way you’ll all work toward a common goal and your wins — or defeats — are shared across the group.

 Get Outside

 Another huge source of stress for many families right now is the feeling of being stuck inside all the time. Not only does this cause a bit of psychic claustrophobia, but it’s also genuinely bad for your health. Sunshine is our body’s most effective source of Vitamin D, which helps regulate mood, immune system, and more.

 You can get outside as a family by finding fun ways to explore your area’s natural features. For example, going on a hike together gives you a chance to see what a local park has to offer, as well as connect with your area’s plant and animal life. You can pair this hobby with birdwatching, photography, or plant identification to make it more fulfilling and exciting.

 There’s also a ton you can do to enjoy the outdoors close to home. If you have small children and a yard, consider setting up one of those backyard obstacle courses. Kids will love the chance to burn off energy, and you’ll have a great time trying it, too. Plus, you’ll get to enjoy the sunshine and fresh air while you play together.

Try Mindfulness

When it comes to soothing stress and anxiety, there are few habits more effective than learning to be mindful. Learning how to be present with the current moment can help you guide your mind away from hypothetical stress and instead focus on what’s happening around you. Working on mindfulness for even just a few minutes a day can noticeably shift your thinking patterns, making them healthier and less reactive.

Many parents think their kids are too small to practice mindfulness, but in reality, even toddlers can give meditation a go. They may not be able to do it for very long — 30 seconds is a good place to start — but try working with your children to teach them how to pay attention to their breathing for a little while at a time.

There are also a ton of fun guided meditations online designed for kids of different ages. Meditate alongside your little one to teach them by example. Chat about how it went afterward, and don’t be afraid to admit if you had trouble keeping yourself focused. Meditation is tough for kids and adults, and it’s extremely powerful for them to see you continue to try even though it’s hard.

See a Therapist

Finally, consider reaching out to a family or individual therapist to get tools tailored for your family’s needs. As we said above, this is an extremely challenging time for everyone. Mental health is a medical issue just like any other, and getting a professional on your team can make a huge difference for everyone in your family.

One mistake many families make is thinking of therapy as a last resort. The truth is, when you push off seeking a professional until things are really bad at home, you’re going to have a much harder time making effective change. It won’t be impossible, but it may take longer and be more emotionally challenging for everyone involved.

Instead, consider seeking a mental health professional once you notice your family really struggling to cope. Constant bickering or consistently low moods is a solid sign that a pro might be able to help. Remember, therapy is all about learning coping tools and giving yourself — and your family — the skills they need to thrive. Seeking help is never a sign of weakness, and setting that example for your family will help your children understand that they don't’ have to shoulder mental health issues all on their own.

This is a tough time for everyone — there’s no getting around that. However, these stress-busters can help your family learn how to come together and support one another through the pandemic and beyond. We hope these help you figure out the best ways to release stress and find peace amid the chaos.

Is your child struggling to achieve at school? Total Learning Center may be able to help — get in touch today to get started.