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10 Ways to Reduce Kids’ Stress

Recognize Holiday Anxiety & Help Children Calm Down at Christmas

Nov 13, 2007 Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen

Kids love Christmas, but they too feel stress & anxiety over the holidays, especially if parents are stressed. These 10 tips will help children cope with holiday anxiety.

If parents are stressed at Christmas, their children will pick up those feelings of holiday anxiety. These holiday stress management tips will help both parents and children recognize holiday anxiety and feel less stress – because helping kids cope with holiday stress is the best way to enjoy Christmas!

To cope with your own Christmas stress, read 4 Ways to End Holiday Anxiety.

Holiday Stress Management Tips for Kids and Parents

First, recognize signs of holiday stress in kids. Signs of holiday anxiety include:

  • Tears for seemingly minor reasons.
  • Nervous behaviors such as nail biting and hair twirling.
  • Physical complaints, such as stomachaches, headaches, fatigue, diarrhea, etc.
  • Regression to younger behaviors: bed wetting, eating with hands.
  • Withdrawal from school friends or siblings.
  • Any behavior that your child doesn’t normally do could be a sign of Christmas anxiety.

Then, use the holiday stress management tips most appropriate for your kid.

  1. Take children out of the spotlight during Christmas plays or performances at relatives’ homes. Helping children cope with holiday stress involves knowing their personalities and limits.
  2. Combine parties and get-togethers to reduce the time you spend partying. For instance, invite your aunt to a kids’ Christmas party.
  3. Stick with the routine as much as possible. Keep stressful holiday shopping and eating out to a minimum; start preparing for Christmas early to avoid holiday anxiety.
  4. Ask your children what makes them feel better. Do they wind down with music, reading, spending time with you or playing with siblings? To help children calm down at Christmas, encourage them to do what they love
  5. Make sure your children eat nutritious foods, drink lots of water, and get exercise. Reducing kids’ holiday stress looks similar to minimizing your own holiday anxiety.
  6. Talk to your children about traditions and spirituality. If you believe in Christ, focus on the real meaning of Christmas – and trusting God. If you have traditions, explain why they’ve stayed in your family.
  7. Bring a favorite blanket or stuffed animal if you’re staying with family over the holidays. A bit of home will reduce your child’s holiday anxiety.
  8. Cope with your own holiday anxiety. The less Christmas stress you feel, the more relaxed your children will be.
  9. Volunteer at a food bank, kids’ hospital or community centre. Find ways to give to your community; volunteering often relieves feelings of holiday anxiety.
  10. Light the mood with funny movies, toboggan afternoons and cozy chats with hot chocolate.

If you found 10 Ways to Reduce Kids’ Holiday Stress helpful, try:

The copyright of the article 10 Ways to Reduce Kids’ Stress in Psychology is owned by Laurie Pawlik-Kienlen. Permission to republish 10 Ways to Reduce Kids’ Stress in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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