Creative Child August 2019 | Page 43

Manage vacations. Travel is fun, of course, but traveling can also be very stressful for kids and parents, who may cycle the stress back and forth to each other. One way to reduce anxiety during travel is to incorporate some downtime so kids can become acclimated to a new destination or time zone. Otherwise, it’s easy to return from vacation even more exhausted than when you left. Pay special attention to allergies. Although spring is the season more correlated with a spike in allergies, it’s important to get your child’s allergies under control during all seasons. Recent studies show there is a link between allergies and anxiety. While anxiety can certainly exacerbate allergy symptoms, the study seems to suggest that the nuisance of allergic symptoms can contribute to anxiety. Spend quality time. There are few things more effective than creating a balanced, confident, well-adjusted child than having some quality bonding time between parent and child. Simple stress-relieving activities like a having picnic, biking or drawing together could do more for your child than a sports camp or academic program. You won’t just be building a stronger bond, but a stronger child. 42