Managing Stress In Kids

A look at how stress can impact children’s health and behaviour, and what you need to know about managing the issue.

Elevated stress caused by isolation from loved ones, cultural adjustments, school environment, the constant noise of the online world, or the current COVID-19 situation can impact our health and how we react to everyday situations. What should you be aware of?

Clinical Psychologist and Founder of Psych Connect DR SANVEEN KANG answers our questions and shares how she helps families manage mental health issues of this kind.

What impact does living in a stressful environment have on children?

When any child is growing up, they face uncertainty and adversity, both of which can cause stress – this can include things that we as adults might not pick up on. Everyone needs a certain amount of anxiety to perform well; yet if children are chronically stressed, it means their stress levels remain perpetually high. When this happens for an extended period of time, it can have long-term effects.

What are some of these effects?

Heightened stress responses impact the body. When young people go through what are known as adverse childhood experiences (ACEs), it results in the activation of the “fight or flight” response, and the release of adrenaline and cortisol. In the long term, we start to see the systemic response of the body to these stress hormones. Having an elevated level of stress over time is related to medical illnesses such as heart disease, stroke, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, cancer and even unhealthy behavioural coping mechanisms.

So, how do you help children and families?