5 Ways to Boost Your Child or Teen’s Sad Mood
1.
Eat Healthier- More research is coming out to
support that ‘we are what we eat.’ Just pick up the book ‘Grain Brain’ or
‘Wheat Belly’ and take a look into the hazards of our food affecting our mood.
Yes, our food has the ability to effect how we feel. Especially sugar. Please,
please, please use sugar in moderation. Sugar contributes to crashing
throughout the day, which can lead to sadness, fatigue, and low mood. But sugar
isn’t the only culprit, even products such as bread, pasta, and rice has the
same affect. Don’t get me wrong, we need carbs to live, just be careful how
much you are putting into you and your child’s bodies. Carbs, much like sugar,
produce that same ‘roller-coaster’ blood sugar we want to avoid. Not only does
sugar cause crashes, it also can contribute to irritability and hyperactivity.
2.
Increase Human Contact- Science shows that touch therapies can help some people overcome
depression, lower the stress hormone cortisol and increase the feel-good
hormone oxytocin. Try massage, acupressure, reiki, or even a hug. We often may
forget throughout the day the benefits of simply hugging or embracing our
children. But the effects of this hormone-producing act are transformative.
3.
Make a Gratitude List- I recommend doing this
simple activity with your child.
Simply make a list of all of the things you are grateful for. Sometimes,
children get stuck on this one; however remind them that ‘anything counts’
including simply getting out of bed each morning. Every time they write one
down, you follow by adding in one of your own. Make this a bonding experience. I
recommend doing this first thing in the morning versus bedtime as to kick the
day off right.
4.
Teach Your Child Mindfulness- This is probably my
favorite tip. Mindfulness is the act of being present. When I teach my client’s
this skill, I typically use a visual
such as clouds floating in a sky. Each cloud has a ‘thought’ on it. Teach your
child to acknowledge the thought, without attaching to it, and simply watch it
pass by in the sky. Couple this act with building in an ‘anchor’ or something
to distract them with such as deep breathing, counting, art, journaling, or
talking, as to keep their mind off their obsessive thoughts.
5.
Challenge Your Thoughts- Having trouble with mindfulness?
Or maybe the thoughts are too constant, loud, or intrusive. Have your
child/teen pick a thought that they frequent have such as ‘I am not worthy.’ Make
a list of all of the reasons they are worthy
to challenge that thought! Do this together, as your child may struggle to come
up with ways to challenge their thoughts. Give them some examples to get them
going.
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