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One of the most common reason students seek out the help of a school counselor is anxiety and stress. Anxiety can be caused by a variety of things such as school, friends, teachers, parents, tests, world news, or homework, just to name a few. This anxiety can cause a child to feel left-out, alone and afraid.
As the anxiety and stress grows, the child may experience headaches, nausea, sleep disturbances and behavior problems. Although we cannot eliminate all stress and anxiety from children's lives, we can help them learn to deal with it. Professor Karen L. Bauer, of Edinboro University of Pennsylvania recommends that parents help children understand the symptoms of their stress and recognize the events that cause them. She suggests parents provide emotional support and structure. Children experience less stress when the rules and limits are consistent.
Finally, she states that physical activity has been shown to reduce stress and the harmful effects stress can have on the mind and body. Children can learn to deal with stress by taking a walk, riding a bike, swimming, or engaging in other strenuous physical activity.
It is extremely important to keep your children emotionally healthy. You can help by being available to them, maintaining their routine and watching for signs of anger and stress.
