Just Breathe! Managing Stress During Stress Awareness Month

April is Stress Awareness Month. Stress can manifest in a number of ways in children including anxiety, listlessness, and a variety of coping behaviors such as nail biting.

By learning stress reduction techniques such as yoga and breathing exercises one can help relieve the harmful effects of stress on the body.

Keep your children as worry and stress free as possible by reading the following books which can be found at the library.

Adult Section

Parenting Your Stressed Child by Michelle L. Bailey, MD, FAAP (649.1 Bai) (Adult New Books)
The Hurried Child: Growing Up Too Fast Too Soon by David Elkind, Ph.D.  (305.23 Elk)
Stress and Your Child: Helping Kids Cope with the Strains and Pressures of Life by Bettie B. Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D (649 You)

Juvenile Section

American Girl: Real Spirit: Fun ideas for Refreshing, Relaxing and Staying Strong by Elizabeth Chobanian (J 613.042 Cho)

Young Adult Section

A Taste-Berry Teen's Guide to Managing the Stress and Pressures of Life by Bettie B. Youngs, Ph.D., Ed.D., and Jennifer Leigh Youngs (YA 155.9 Tas)

Ways to Reduce Stress

1. Take a break from the daily grind by taking a short walk during your lunch hour.
2. Talk to a friend or family members about your worries.
3. Write your thoughts down in a journal.
4. Watch a funny movie. Laughter truly is the best medicine.
5. Start a new hobby such as salsa dancing or knitting.