Helping children cope WITH NIGHTMARES

ASK YOUR COUNSELOR

- AKANKSHA PANDEY

My daughter (8) often wakes up in the night complaining of nightmares. We've tried consoling her, but she gets very distressed. how can we help her cope with recurring nightmares? — Disha Patel, Ahmedabad

Dreams are a natural component of sleep, and sometimes they can be unsettling. Addressing nightmares in children is critical to ensuring they have restful sleep and maintain overall emotional well-being. Here are some ways to ease her distress: 

Create a calming bedtime routine. Establish a consistent and calming bedtime routine. This can include activities such as reading a book, listening to soothing music, or practicing mind relaxation exercises.

Address possible triggers. Pay attention to any potential triggers for the nightmares. It could be something she watched on television, read, or experienced during the day. Eliminate exposure to violent/horror content before bedtime.