How Your Anxiety May Be Affecting Your Child
Anxiety and its Trickle Down Effect
Nature versus nurture is a timeless topic in the arena of mental health. However, one thing is for certain: like all aspects of health, mental health can affect your parenting. Do you remember when your baby would cry, if you raised your voice or laughed really loud? Children are like sponges and are very reactive to subtle mood changes in their primary caregiver. When a parent’s anxiety has gone unnoticed by a parent, unknowingly a parent is modeling anxious behaviors to their very impressionable child.
How to Spot Anxiety and Keep it in Check
How many of you can relate to feeling first day jitters, when it was your child’s first day of school? When a parent can be mindful of signs of anxiety including racing thoughts, trouble concentrating, and pressured speech they can begin to control their anxiety. Recognize and acknowledge that uncertainty and the unknown are not awful. Model confidence and calmness by acknowledging to yourself that you are feeling anxious, and making a conscious effort to let go of worrying. Take a deep breath, ask yourself what thoughts are intensifying your anxiety. Challenge your worst case scenarios, and ask yourself whats the best that could happen versus focusing on all the negative events that could happen.
The Importance of Self Care for You and Your Child
Anxiety can be managed, if you feel that you spend more time worrying that not seek the help of a licensed mental health counselor. Many parents put their children first, without acknowledging that they need to take care of their personal health and well being in order to keep going. Making time to talk to a counselor is one way that you can begin to set-up a wellness regimen. Consider diet and exercise when looking for ways to increase energy. Many people with generalized anxiety are unaware that things can be different, don’t fall into the mental health stigma that anxiety is not debilitating. A stomach that is in knots and restless or sleepless nights do not have to be a way of life. Cognitive Behavioral Therapy is just one approach that can help you reduce the effects of anxiety in just a short time. Learning about how your thoughts can increase or decrease feelings of anxiety is the first step in ridding anxiety that can be modeled and passed on to your child.How to Get Help Call today to schedule an appointment to begin to address your anxiety. Mind your mental health and provide your children with the basics of self care. Learning how to spot and respond to changes in your mood can help provide the relief you have been looking for. 904 E. 8th St. Charlotte, NC 28204P: 704-680-6414mail@kaleidoscopecounselingpllc.com