Shared by permission from the author, Anya Willis

Take care of yourself. It’s essential advice that kids can benefit from just as adults do. Although kids don’t have the same challenges as adults, kids can still benefit from learning how to take care of themselves, especially when needing to reset and refresh after a tough day at school or overextending themselves with activities. Monkey Fish Toys shares eight ways to encourage kids to practice self-care.

1. Role Model Your Self-Care

Creating an environment where kids can practice self-care is vital. Make your home a haven for self-care by modeling it yourself. When you're stressed, your kids take on your stress and get off track with their routines and goals. So stay mindful of not bringing negativity into your home in front of them. To reduce work stress, change your routine, eat healthy snacks, find time to exercise, and don't seek perfection.

2. Let Kids Choose Activities

Let your children take a role in choosing activities. Allow them some freedom to choose what they want to do during their self-care time, whether it’s going for a bike ride with friends or joining a team at school. You can also let them pick toys or games they like from Monkey Fish Toys!

Spend your money wisely when purchasing toys or exercise equipment. To get the most out of your money, it helps to read product reviews and to check ratings. This ensures you buy products that have staying power and will be worth the expense. 

3. Provide a Healthy and Peaceful Home Environment

Children, like adults, can experience anxiety in a cluttered environment. Hello! Magazine notes that cleaning up your home and adding a few houseplants can improve air quality and help your family feel relaxed. Consider installing an oil diffuser to help create a sense of calm in your child’s room. It’s also a good idea to ensure they have enough bedroom lights — even when they’re asleep.

4. Provide Opportunities To Exercise

A great way to encourage self-care in kids is to give them opportunities to be active. Ask your child if they want to bike, swim, walk, climb trees, or play tag. Even just taking a walk after dinner counts as exercise.

5. Get Outside!

Creating an outdoor space for your child is a great way to get some self-care and outdoor activity. For the sake of safety and appearance, getting your land graded to promote erosion control and improve drainage is a good idea. If you're in need of landscape grading services, you can connect with local contractors in your area. Before meeting with a land grading contractor to get a quote and discuss your needs, you can evaluate companies by reading reviews online. If you’re worried about costs, you can also research which companies are currently offering deals or credits.

6. Let Kids Express Themselves Creatively

You don’t have to be Picasso to create art. Letting kids explore their creative sides can help them learn how to reflect, relax, and keep busy — in a low-pressure environment that doesn’t demand too much. Set up a small area for them in your home, and stock it with crayons and paper; let them pick out paint colors and brushes. You could even go on art walks through your town or your local museum.

7. Praise Efforts

Praising a child’s efforts is more effective than praising a child's intelligence or innate abilities. By focusing on what your child tries you instill a more intrinsic motivation for success and long-term learning. Recognize progress even if it isn’t perfect — and do so enthusiastically. It will encourage your child to try again and see what's achievable next time.

8. Practice Meditation

Headspace points out that meditation reduces stress and anxiety, improves sleep, and increases focus. Kids who practice meditation show improved memory and academic performance and are less impulsive and emotionally reactive (perfect for tantrum-filled days). Their emotions are also more stable.

Balance and Peace

Role modeling healthy lifestyle choices and practicing self-care in any form helps you learn how to take care of yourself better while also teaching children valuable life skills for managing stress and difficult emotions. Follow these tips, and you’ll see that imparting self-care strategies to your kids will last a lifetime!

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Monkey Fish Toys mixes the best of toy stores of yesteryear with the service, convenience and cool selection of toys we know you're looking for. Shop online today, or give us a call for more info! (484) 885-7285