Stress is part of life and can be a good thing. It’s the first line of defence in dangerous situations, and many of the effects of stress are positive, such as heightening our senses and giving us adrenaline. But it is only meant to be a temporary state in everyday life, so excessive, chronic or prolonged stress can be very detrimental to our health, affecting how we think, act, and feel.
Like adults, children too can feel stress. Rates of stress in children are becoming even more widespread, and it can be hard to tell when those levels of stress are becoming overwhelming for them. Stress can have physical effects as well as emotional ones but the good news is that reading is a simple way to battle stress and show children how to cope better by teaching empathy and improving their relationships, as well as improving their psychological and emotional wellbeing.
What may cause stress in children
- Peer pressure, bullying, harassment, or trying to ‘fit in’ at school.
- Busy schedules at school, home, and extracurricular activities can leave little time for relaxation and pleasure, which are the key to reducing stress.
- Self-imposed pressure to perform, especially in school or sports (which is meant to be fun).
- What they see on the news, which can leave them feeling fearful or vulnerable.
- Major changes like illness or death of loved ones, divorce or family troubles, or relocation are big stressors for children.
- Seeing parents being stressed.
Not getting enough sleep, leading to increased anxiety and less resilience to stress.
Children aren’t always great at understanding or articulating their feelings or recognizing that they’re stressed, so parents need to keep an eye out for tell-tale signs. These signs often manifest themselves as emotional changes, or as behavioural changes, or sometimes there are even physical symptoms too.
How reading can help reduce stress
Reading for relaxation seems to have taken a back seat in recent years, becoming overshadowed by video games, smartphones, books-to-movies, and schoolwork, but reading can be a great source of self-soothing for children experiencing stress.
Studies have shown that reading for as little as six minutes a day can reduce the heart rate and stress levels by 60% or more which is 300% better than going for a walk and 700% more than playing video games!
When children read, they are distracted from their worries. Reading alters our state of consciousness: it stirs the imagination, stimulates creativity, and focuses our minds. It can help us to understand our own emotional wellbeing and learn how to cope with strong feelings. And, even better, when they read in the company of family members they love and trust, reading can transport them in a safe, non-threatening environment too.
Please feel free to direct your children to the school library for help finding a book or magazine that they would like to borrow and read.