Every child who is born onto this earth has something unique in it. Children are said to be the direct blessings one receives from the Almighty. The reason of sheer happiness in a parent’s life, and for raising a child to become a righteous person in the future, good and healthy parenthood plays a very vital role. Childhood is the most beautiful phase, filled with relaxation, free from the bounds of stress and pressure which engulfs the mind to enter the stage of adulthood.
The foundation for a child’s psychological well-being:
- Unconditional love and support from family.
- High self-esteem and self-confidence.
- Exposure to the world outside.
- Safe and secure environment.
- Proper guidance and discipline.
Talking about the psychological well-being of children relates to how their life gets assessed. Psychological well-being is not just one aspect, but it covers many other psychological aspects from evolutionary, mental, behavior genetics, personality and social psychology – each of them relevant to the psychological well-being of a child. Thus, as a parent it’s necessary for you to promote good mental habits in your kids in these following ways:
- Modeling Good Mental Habits
Learning to consider ways to actively minimize stress by doing plenty of exercises, good quality sleep (at least 7-8 hours) and regularizing relaxation exercises to improve child’s mental health, it will make your life easier and stress-free. You should always remember kids learn what they see and witness. So, make sure they learn good mental health at first hand.
- Make Sure They Get Enough Sleep
Sound sleep is a solution to every problem in this world. It stands out to be one of the building blocks of good mental health and psychological well-being. Young children should get at least 10-12 hours of sleep to have proper growth and development.
- Talk About Their Problems
A child’s thorough psychological development depends on the space and freedom he/she gets. As said sharing, a problem reduces to halve. Talking to your children about what’s bothering them and helping them find a solution to their problem, reduces their burden of worry and anxiousness.
- Bring Fun and Playfulness in Their Life’s
Make your kids the kings and queens of outdoor play. Do not allow them to be glued to the screens of tablets, televisions and cell phones. Expose them to the playgrounds and spontaneity. It not only helps in improving their psychological well-being but also their body metabolism.
- Foster Volunteering and Helpfulness
Social isolation is one of the prime reasons for poor mental health. Make sure to encourage your child to develop social relations and help others when they are in need. Assisting others expands social connections, strengthen social ties and mark the importance of being a part of the community.
At a general state, psychological and emotional well-being mean way more than the absence of mental illness. Mental well-being implies the “feeling of positivity” and “functioning well,” and for functioning well, your child’s body requires some foods that positively affect their psychological well-being. The components that have to be there into a child’s daily diet necessarily include the following:
- Whole Grains
They are a primary source of energy as the source of energy for the brain is glucose, which comes from carbohydrates. Simple carbohydrates aggravate low mood by creating spikes in blood sugar. By contrast, complex carbohydrates release glucose at a prolonged rate, which helps the child feel full longer and provides a streamlined source of fuel for the brain and body.
- Lean Protein
The nutrients and food that we gulp it gets processed to break down into substances that are used to make neurotransmitters and other required chemicals that get formed up in the body that allow different parts of the body and mainly the nervous system to communicate effectively with each other.
Next to carbohydrates, protein is the most copious component in the body. An amino acid called tryptophan, which is said to be the building block of protein as it influences the production by secreting neurotransmitter serotonin (associated with depression). These lean proteins balance the serotonin in the body, by reducing the symptoms of depression and anxiety. Thus, improving the overall functioning of a child.
- Leafy Greens
Leafy vegetables such as spinach, turnip, etc. are rich in folic acid. Broccoli also is rich in selenium, which plays a vital role in our immune system’s functioning, reproduction and thyroid hormone metabolism. Studies suggest that low levels of selenium in children can cause anxiety and depression. So, always make sure to enrich your child’s diet with leafy vegetables.
- Yogurt
Fermented foods such as yogurt, kimchi, and certain other pickled vegetables contain healthy bacteria which according to various studies, reduce anxiety and stress hormones. Thus, make sure to add in yogurt into your child’s daily diet, at least once a day.
Conclusion:
Psychological well-being creates the foundation for a child’s healthy behavior and educational attainment. That is why it is an important area to focus. Children who follow up a healthy diet consisting of fruits and vegetables and limiting the intake of sugary foods or other junk food, as a matter of fact, have better sense and higher self-esteem in comparison to those who have an inadequate diet. Nutrition is the key component for good health, and that particular aspect affects not only the body but also the psychological well-being of a child.