When things are hectic, kids feel it. Sometimes it manifests in obvious ways and sometimes they internalize it. Whether the chaos is due to a particularly busy or stressful time of year, or whether it’s due to extenuating life circumstances, there are a few key habits to not lose sight of. Because kids (and humans in general) thrive on routine, it’s important to maintain as much structure, predictability, and normalcy as possible to our lives during hectic times. Here are some strategies you might consider for yourself or your child(ren):
1. Try a consistent wake-up time
Research shows that setting the alarm for the same time every morning is better for our physical and mental health. This can be especially hard on the weekends, when all we want to do is sleep in, but the benefits outweigh the desire to hit snooze. Of course, if you had a late night, catching up on sleep is more important. But if you can, try to aim for an earlier bedtime to make sure you get in all the hours you need. Start your day with something you can look forward to, whether that’s a cup of tea, a yoga routine, or your favorite breakfast. Once you settle into the new routine, you may notice that your exhaustion and stress levels have decreased.
2. Make a to-do list first thing in the morning.
When our days vary as much as they do around the holidays, put everything that’s stressful down on paper. Whether it’s to-do items, decisions to be made, or just circumstances your mind is lingering on, write it down. It won’t make your worries go away entirely, but it can be a powerful way to help you work or think through tasks you’re not excited about.
3. Create a midday break routine.
Break up the daily unpredictability with a new midday routine. Choose a time that you are usually free around the middle of the day. It could be right after lunch, or when you get home from school. Set aside 10 to 15 minutes to do something you find comforting, relaxing, and familiar. Maybe it’s sitting in your favorite chair with a magazine, or mindlessly scrolling through your phone while you snack. Try to carve out those few minutes to unwind and reset each day, no matter how busy your day is.
4. Take some control.
During a time when so much is out of our control, it’s important that we feel that we are in control of something. Whether it’s internal (our thoughts, behaviors, and habits) or external (our environment and surroundings), everyone needs to be in control of something. Make sure the control is positive. If you have the time for it, start that reorganizing project you’ve been thinking about for months. If you need a less time-consuming outlet for control, try to gain some control over your emotions by journaling.
5. End your day with a family routine, a personal care routine, or both.
Bring some closure to your hectic days by establishing a nighttime routine. If everyone’s schedule allows, involve your whole family. It could be a quick round of a card game or a short TV show that you all watch together. If you aren’t able to unwind as a family, then begin your own individual self-care routine. Whether it’s journaling to gain that mental control, or doing a quick stretch to loosen up your tense muscles, think about what you need most to wrap up your day and be able to wake up the next morning (hopefully at the same time as today!) ready to do it all again.
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