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Family Stress Busters
Sing your Directions Things getting tense around dinner time, kids won't settle down to finish their homework or pick up their toys? Feeling like any minute you may explode as each set back piles up? Try singing what it is you want everyone to do. Pitch, tune, or talent doesn't matter for this concert; studies have shown that we use a different part of our brain to listen to music. Therefore, singing not only regulates your breathing so you maintain your cool, but you may find that your children actually begin to do what you asked. Have everyone join in the fun. Sing through dinner one night or play a game to you own special tune. You find yourselves laughing out loud (another stress buster) as well discovering the next American Idol. Mantra or Theme Songs Take a tip from Ali McBeal, pick a family a theme song or mantra. "All you need is Love" or "We Go Together" when times get overwhelming and everyone needs to be reminded of who they can rely on. Break into song or recite the family mantra. Sometimes parents and children forget they are not alone and that each one of you has each other to turn to for help, advice, or a singing partner. Write a family cheer. Ask each member of the family to say a strength of another member of the family, by identifying what each other brings to the family, reminds each other that no matter what is going on you are a team. Put it on a poster board and hang it up where everyone can see it. Laugh Out Loud Nothing funny about that feeling you get when kids are fighting, dinners burning, and no one is paying attention to your repeated requests to set the table. However, laughter is the number one stress reliever, so let it rip. Studies have shown that even fake laughing causes endorphins the "feel good hormone" to release. Laughter often brings a sense of levity to any situation; once you see the funny it's hard to be upset. Just start laughing; get the kids involved see who can laugh the loudest, the silliest, or the longest. It may start out being forced but in the end everyone will be rolling on the floor whooping it up. Do a Good Deed Together There is nothing compared to doing something nice for someone else to lift ones spirits. It teaches empathy, kindness, and empowers children to know that even small gestures can make a difference in someone's life. Collect food for the hungry (money tight? Do a little each week until the bag is full), Donate used toys, games or clothes to homeless shelters or instead of birthday gifts encourage your child to ask friends to bring a can of dog or cat food for an animal shelter. Want something closer to home? Create a "Nice Gestures Jar." As a family, come up with suggestions that someone can do for someone else. For example, set the table without being asked, draw a picture and leave it for someone on their pillow, or read a story to your younger brother/sister. When overwhelmed by stress this list of fun interactive stress busters will help you and your family discover that even during the most challenging of times that "family" is truly the number one stress buster. Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com Genevieve M. Lowry has been helping children and families for twenty years. As a certified child life specialist at The Children's Hospital of NY, she worked on a general medical floor providing therapeutic activities for children facing chronic or life threatening illness. Through play and preparation she encouraged self-esteem, mastery and control over their illness, as well as promoted choice in an environment that offers little or none. She also helped children and families cope with the rigors of a cancer diagnosis in an outpatient oncology clinic. During that time she developed programs for children returning to school, sibling groups, as well as supported families through each stage of diagnosis, treatment, survival, or end of life. www.practicalparentingsolutions.com/home.html www.practicalparentingsolutions.com/webinars.html |
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