The times we are living in are not the same as when any of us were growing up. When most of us think back on our childhoods, thankfully, stress isn’t the first thing that comes to mind. Freedom, friends, fun, and playtime ruled our worlds. In 2022 kids are inundated with way too much information that is really geared more toward adults. They have a lot more to deal with than the past generations ever did. Life is fast-paced, technology ever-changing, and more and more volatile society emerges daily.
If you are finding that our child is stressed out or even depressed, they are far from alone.
Let’s take a minute to look at some of the causes as well as what you can do to try and help to alleviate some of the strain and allow them to just simply be kids again.
What’s stressing our kids out?
Bullying – the bullies of the past are nothing compared to these mini-tyrants of today. They often operate in gangs and push through not only personal contact at school but can follow your child home via social media. Recent studies suggest that nearly 1/3rd of school-aged kids have experienced bullying, and many do not speak up for fear of repercussions.
Hyper-Parenting – kids are not allowed enough play time and free time. They are often scheduled just as much as adults. This leaves little time to explore who they really are as an individual and gain self-acceptance as they are vs. needing lessons all the time for everything which can lead to feeling inadequate.
Divorce – No matter how well a couple handles a divorce, it is an emotional stressor on a child. Even if neither ever speaks one bad word about the other to that child, the absence and loss are felt deeply.
Everyone gets a trophy – While at first, this seems like a great idea, it doesn’t teach real-world values – working hard and improving to get where you want to be. It is backfiring and causing a complacent entitled society. Then, when something comes up outside of the school setting, and they don’t receive a trophy for participation, it can damage self-esteem.
The Pandemic
Kids have been especially hard hit by a world full of adults who can’t seem to agree on much of anything. Schools enforcing masks, hand sanitizer, social distancing, and the news instilling fear every which way you turn. These are formative years for children, and they are isolated and fear-driven, and then we wonder why they aren’t happy. This “new normal”, isn’t normal at all.
The Result
All of this leaves kids feeling like they aren’t on solid ground. That is stressful at any age. It can manifest itself in anxiety, anger, depression, fear, acting out, or a number of other ways. Many parents, for lack of known options, turn to their medical doctors for prescription drugs to help calm their children’s nerves, anxiety, and fears. The problem is that pills are not a fix, they are a Band-Aid and one that can have potential lifelong side effects and consequences.
Alternatives to Medication
Rest – As much as kids have more energy than adults, they still need sleep. Lack of sleep can lead to a host of emotional problems.
Nutrition – Eating well plays a huge part in how we are able to function emotionally as well as physically. Make sure your child is getting enough protein, green vegetables, and healthy carbohydrates. Eliminate processed foods, sodas, and refined sugars as much as possible.
Chiropractic Care – Chiropractic care has been shown to help reduce anxiety in children and teens without resorting to over-the-counter or prescription drugs. Talk to us and let us help!
Meditation and Yoga – We live in a fast-paced world. Letting your kids participate and learn studies that can help them slow down and focus as well as center themselves can be invaluable not only in childhood but for the rest of their adult lives as well.
Chiropractor in Ft Myers, FL
Chiropractic care is a safe, alternative treatment when applied appropriately. Chiropractic treatments help in dealing with the symptoms of many conditions even in children. Are you going to wait for your symptoms to be felt, or are you going to prevent them as soon as possible?
*Special note on kids who have been involved in car accidents
Though it may have only been a minor fender bender, even a 10mph accident can rattle their bodies and cause misalignments. Misalignments in kids can cause headache issues, vision problems, illness, general malaise, agitation, and even acting out. If your child seems “off” in any way following an accident, taking them to the chiropractor is a great idea.
Dr. Jason B. Kaster, a chiropractor in Fort Myers, can help you and your family achieve optimal health.