Let's wash off this day

As a dad walked up to his son one evening, he was overheard saying, "Come on, son, it is time to get home and get a bath so we can wash off this day." What a powerful message that child heard from his dad! The son knew exactly what his dad meant. The same phrase was used night after night as the dad was really telling his child to let go of the events of the day and prepare for the new day tomorrow. If life were only that simple. Well, perhaps it is!

Dealing with stress is an everyday thing. A 2017 American Psychological Association survey found that 80 percent of those responding reported experiencing at least one symptom of stress over the past month. Long-term activation of your body's stress response system, along with prolonged exposure to cortisol and other stress hormones, may put a person at risk for health troubles like digestive problems, anxiety, headaches, depression, sleep problems, and even weight gain. Other major issues can occur including memory and concentration issues, high blood pressure, and even heart disease and stroke.

A more alarming fact is that teachers and parents are reporting more stress-related symptoms among today's kids. Childhood stress has increased in the past few decades, with around 40 percent of kids surveyed reporting that they worry too much.

So what can we do about stress? Luckily, small changes are easy to try. One way is to make sure there is time for fun and laughter in the home. Make silly faces with the family, have a staring contest, watch videos of babies and puppies. Try blowing off some steam with some laughs!

Making a list can also help one cope with stress. Lists could help you decide what is actually important to do today so you won't feel buried under a mountain of chores or jobs. A great sense of accomplishment also occurs when you cross things off as "done."

Get up and move around more. Movement is good for the heart and your mind. Get up from your chair and take a stroll around the house or office. Briskly walk around the block and listen to the birds. Try making time to move for at least 10 minutes or more several times a day.

Getting enough sleep can help one feel less cranky and overwhelmed and help a person be more productive and creative. If a person wants all that, they have to get to bed earlier! More importantly, they should turn off the screens and try aiming for about seven to nine hours of sleep a night.

What about the kids? Certain amounts of stress is normal and necessary for survival and helps children develop the skills they need to cope with life. However, childhood stress can present with a large number of physical and emotional signs and symptoms.

Children experience stress in schools as they deal with homework they receive, fear of failure, worrying about fitting in, self-identity, and bullying. Stress in the family occurs with parental separation, remarriage, financial problems, and poverty. Some children can become worried about things they hear and see on the news with the 24-hour stations reporting about strangers, burglars, and street violence. It is important for parents to teach kids to recognize stress and to help them learn healthy ways to cope with the stress they experience.

Parents can help their children by regularly spending calm and relaxing time with them, listening to them and encouraging them to talk about their feelings and worries. Parents must work to provide a safe and nurturing family environment, encourage physical activity and healthy eating habits. Kids also need free time to play, read, listen to music, or just chill.

Teach the kids to let the events of the day go, brush off the negatives, and get ready because tomorrow is another day! Wash off the day! A parent's modeling of successfully handling stress will be a child's greatest teacher!

4-H Club information

For information about Garland County 4-H Club membership or program benefits, contact Linda Bates at the Garland County Cooperative Extension office, 236 Woodbine. Call 501-623-6841 or email [email protected]. Additional information is available at http://www.uaex.edu/garland.

Master Gardener information

Master Gardener meetings are held on the third Thursday of each month. They are open to the public and guests are always welcome. For more information call the Extension Office at 623-6841 or email Allen Bates at [email protected].

EHC information

Are you interested in joining an existing Extension Homemakers Club? EHC is the largest volunteer organization in the state. For information on EHC contact Alison Crane at 501-623-6841 or [email protected].

The University of Arkansas Division of Agriculture is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate or need materials in another format, please contact your County Extension office (or other appropriate office) as soon as possible. Dial 711 for Arkansas Relay.

Society on 11/12/2018

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