Creative Child August 2019 | Page 39

The name of the game during summertime, is also balance. Or balance with a little indulgence. The key is to find how much routine and predictability is enough to keep anxiety at bay. Here are nine helpful hints to maintain calm and order through the home stretch of summer. Go to bed on time. Sleep is such an integral part of brain development and overall mental and physical health, that getting to bed at the proper time can be crucial when it comes to managing anxiety in kids. Not all hours are created equal. And getting to bed later can mean less restful sleep. Sometimes getting to bed later can mean kids wake up earlier and lose sleep. Keeping bedtime routines is challenging during the summer, especially since it remains light out later. But maintaining a consistent bedtime is perhaps one of the most effective and manageable ways to help your child well maintained during summer. Keep a balanced diet. A little indulgence never hurt anyone but too much of a good thing can definitely throw a child’s chemistry off. By helping your child maintain a balanced diet, eat controlled portions and consume plenty of water, especially in the heat, you can help your child feel well both physically and emotionally and reduce anxiety. 38