Keep a check on your child’s mental health

“The secret of life is to fall seven times and to get up eight times.” — Paulo Coelho

In a rapidly developing and emerging country like ours, the constant rat race of standing out of the rest and always wanting the best for oneself becomes the topmost priority. The definition of success and becoming successful seems to vary with every individual. You might belong to a wealthy background, yet the urge to become successful and achieve something in life is likely to haunt you. A successful person may not always be the happiest in life, or the happier person may not always be successful. When an individual starts embracing its flaws, acceptance becomes a lot easier. All the chaos and competition take your mental health for a toss. 

Children fall under the radar in terms of accomplishing successful firsts during their childhood. And youngsters are compelled to outperform themselves in academics and marks. Parents play a significant role in making or breaking a child and nurturing their aspirations for a better tomorrow. Mental well-being proves to be an essential topic of discussion in today’s scenario. With a rapid rise in competition levels, parents have undertaken the responsibility to enhance their children’s future. In the quest for attaining success, nurturers often tend to monitor and pressurize their kids to excel in everything they do. 

Schools are equally responsible for providing the right learning environment for a child to blossom. Constant comparison, bullying and nagging make a child anxious and stressed. A child must be taught the art of stress management for a better tomorrow. Both educational institutions and parents can adopt suitable measures to curb stress- 

1. Keep all ears to the youngsters’ problems- Your kids want you to lend ears to their problems and help them navigate the right path. They receive comfort and compassion when you act as the torch bearer to all their necessities. A child always looks for a protective and supportive hand while dealing with varied life issues. Spending quality time with your kids and allowing them to explore the outer world will heal them from within. Ensure them that they always have your back. It guarantees a productive environment at home. 

Teachers, on the other hand, can also become a child’s close confidant. They can create an environment that allows the child to discuss its problem areas and work towards developing a safe and friendly environment. 

2. Promote positive self-esteem- Make your children believe in themselves and help them channel their capability rather than forcing them to hold onto things they aren’t passionate about. Boost their morale by emphasizing their distinctive qualities and abilities. The parents and the school authorities, donning their responsibilities as protectors, should provide a platform for the little ones that aid them in realizing their dreams and push them to stand out amongst the rest. 

3. Practice mindfulness for mental well-being- Allow your children to indulge in mindful activities with a game of chess or something that ignites them to put their cognitive aspects into play. Mindful activities keep children informed and updated about their performances. It allows them to put their brains to the test.

4. Healthy nutrition towards good mental health- Good food makes you happy and helps maintain an equilibrium with sound cognitive and physical health. A healthy nutritional diet keeps children active all day. It involves and keeps their minds busy in various skill developmental activities. 

5. Maintain cordial social interactions- A friend in need is a friend indeed. A child should look out for opportunities to create healthy bonds with their contemporaries. A good friend can act as a responsible guardian to your child, one with whom your child can trust and share its issues. Children often share instances that bother them with their best buddies. Let your child bare its heart out to a trustworthy person.  

6. Set realistic goals- Dedication, hard work, and perseverance ignite children to achieve success and scale heights. Allow them to set goals that can be achieved and fulfilled within a stipulated time to avoid chaos. In addition, come up with measures that empower students to learn and construct ideas at their own pace.