There was a time when no one talked about stress because it wasn’t a common word, least of all when pertaining to de-stressing kids. What could children possibly be stressed about?
Fast forward to today and let’s look at the definition of stress: “a mental or emotional strain or tension resulting from adverse or very demanding circumstances”. Today, no one would even hesitate to question whether our kids are possibly stressed out – the issue now is how to control the level of stress in our children’s lives.
Tips for De-Stressing Kids
Here are some helpful suggestions to consider for de-stressing kids:
Reduce Environmental Stress
- Establish Establish age-appropriate bedtimes
- Mitigate EMFs in the house
- Reduce excess noise
- Green your home by removing toxic home and personal-care products
Remove the Following from Your Child’s Diet
Give Your Child High-Quality Fats
High-quality fat is essential for optimal brain function. Use organic or pastured versions of the following:
- Cod liver oil
- Evening primrose oil
- Borage oil
- Flax oil
- Hempseed oil
- Coconut oil
- Ghee
- Lard
- Chicken schmaltz
- Tallow
- Duck fat
- Olive oil
- Avocado oil
Remove Unhealthy Fats from Your Child’s Diet
- Corn oil
- Soy oil
- Canola oil
- Other vegetable oils
- Sunflower oil
- Safflower oil
- Margarine
- Hydrogenated vegetable oils
- Trans fat
Consider Adding in Supplements
Have your child tested to see if there is a nutritional deficiency in:
- B vitamins, which are calming to the nervous system
- Pantothenic acid (B5), which is the vitamin for stress, trace minerals and electrolyte
- PharmaGABA, which is a type of GABA (inhibitory neurotransmitter) that crosses the blood brain barrier to calm the brain
- Magnesium
- DHA
- Low-dose lithium orotate
- Phosphatidylserine
- Phosphatidylcholine
Test for Irregularities and Imbalances
Ensure Enough Sleep
- Limit computer, video devices, smartphones and TV before bed
- Make sure your child is not overstimulated during the day by technology
- Reduce sugar and carbohydrates in the diet, especially before bed
- Consider supplementing with your practitioners guidance: L-tryptophan, melatonin, homeopathic sleep remedies (coffea cruda), valerian root, chamomile, and/or essential oils for sleep (lavender)
Address the Following
- Yeast overgrowth
- Candida
- Mold
- Fungus
- Parasites
- Heavy metals
- Bacteria
- Viruses
- Other pathogens that can be stimulating and over-burdening the nervous system and sensory system
Detoxify the Body
Toxins can add to the body’s stress level and create inflammation as well as nutritional deficiencies. Consider the following for detoxification and view our category page here for other ideas.
- Epsom salt baths
- Homeopathy
- N-acetylcysteine (NAC)
- Garlic
- Cilantro
- Alpha lipoic acid
- Zeolith
- MSM (methylsulfonylmethane)
- Chlorella
- Other natural detox supplements
Support the Adrenals
- Rescue Remedy
- Adaptogenic herbs
- Himalayan, Celtic or other unprocessed salt
- Animal organs such as liver
- Bone broth
- Magnesium
- Other minerals
- Vitamins B5 and B6
- Homeopathic remedies
- Blood-sugar optimization
Consider Therapies
Add in Exercise
- Yoga, tai chi or qi gong
- Swimming
- Karate
- Basketball
- Taekwondo
- Soccer
- Gymnastics
- Movement activities of any kind
Participate in Activities
- Blowing bubbles
- Hands-on comforting and nurturing
- Deep breathing
- Music
Other Ideas for De-Stressing Kids
- Give your child probiotics and fermented foods to heal the gastrointestinal tract and microbiome by repopulating the good microbes
- Make sure your child eats breakfast and has some protein in the morning
- Ensure your child doesn’t skip meals
- Ensure your child is drinking enough water and getting enough electrolytes to avoid dehydration
- Make sure your child has normal cholesterol levels. Low cholesterol affects cortisol levels, causing stress and anxiety.
If your child is non-verbal, try to find modalities that create some form of communication to avoid frustration and high anxiety. Also use visuals to communicate what to expect or what’s coming next to avoid anxiety due to the unknown.
About Teresa Badillo
In the 1980s she worked overseas in Rome, Italy at the Japanese Embassy in the office of the United Nations (FAO) as a speech writer. She also began her long journey in alternative healing while living in Rome.
After moving to New York and while raising her family of seven children, Teresa embarked on a mission to find alternative non-invasive biomedical, therapeutic, sensory and educational solutions for autism after the diagnosis of her son in the early 1990s.
She won a court case in 1995 against the Rockland County School District in New York to enable ARC Prime Time for Kids to be the first school using Applied Behavioral Analysis teaching method for autism that was paid for by the Rockland County School District. The following year she was instrumental in getting the New York Minister of Education to approve an extension of the ARC license from 5 to 21 years.
She has worked over the years in a number of alternative medical practices with doctors and practitioners organizing various biomedical intervention options for children with autism. Since the mid 1990s, Teresa has served on several boards:
- Foundation for Children with Developmental Disabilities
- The Autoimmunity Project
- Developmental Delayed Resources
- Epidemic Answers
She continues to consult and advise parents on all different areas of autism especially nutritional protocols. Since 2006 she has worked with NutraOrgana, LLC and BioCellular Analysis Testing. She currently researches, writes the newsletter and blogs Teresa’s Corner for The Autism Exchange (AEX). She also writes blog posts and pages for Documenting Hope.
Still Looking for Answers?
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