Stress in children is a complex phenomenon, influenced by a variety of factors ranging from everyday concerns such as school performance and social relationships, to more serious situations such as poverty, racism or traumatic events. Even at a young age, children can experience stress in the face of societal issues such as violence, drugs and political unrest.
Sources of stress in children include academic challenges, concerns about safety and well-being, as well as everyday worries such as bullying or family tensions. More serious events, such as chronic illness or trauma, can also exert significant pressure.
A child's perception and management of stress depend on his or her personality and coping skills. This stress, whether real or imagined, can become overwhelming and overwhelm his resources. Manifestations of stress include difficulty concentrating, headaches, sleep disturbances, changes in eating habits, as well as feelings of helplessness, anxiety and fatigue. However, these signs can vary from child to child and are not always easy to identify.
Chronic stress can lead to more serious health problems, such as poor metabolic control or increased body mass index (BMI). Biomarkers such as the stress hormone cortisol are sometimes used to assess stress levels in children. It is essential to detect and treat this stress, as unmanaged stress can have lasting repercussions on mental and physical health, and lead to difficulties in adulthood.
To help children better manage stress, protective factors such as strong social support, open communication and positive activities like sport or reading are crucial. Interventions such as yoga, hypnosis, or talking circles are also showing promising results in reducing stress in children.
Learn more about Lactium for stress management!
Sources:
UNICEF
How to recognize signs of distress in children - Common reactions to stress in children.
https://www.unicef.org/parenting/child-care/how-to-recognize-signs-of-distress
Stress and anxiety in your child or teenager
https://www.quebec.ca/en/health/mental-health/mental-health-in-children-and-adolescents/anxiety-in-children-and-adolescents
STRESS AND EATING BEHAVIORS
LACTALK - EPISODE 5 SEASON 1
Dr. Naima Boukhalfa, child and adolescent psychiatrist, discusses the differents aspects related to stress and eating troubles and provides advice to improve daily life.
Natural history of burnout, stress, and fatigue in a pediatric resident cohort over three years.
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