Stress in children, much like adults, may not be an obvious, conscious stress, like a deadline or worry. Poor sleep, healing from injury, instability in their life, or poor nutrition can be perceived by the body as stress.
A stressed child can then show stress in just as many ways: anger, sadness, fear, behaviour changes or more. It is always important to have the child assessed by your medical or naturopathic doctor, and often a team approach including referrals to psycholoy, dietician, or others, may be warranted.
As a naturopathic doctor, I counsel in how our food and blood sugar can support or detract from our resiliency, and how food triggers, particularly in children, can be another stress on their system. These may show up as digestive symptoms, restless sleep and teeth grinding, behavioural changes, skin issues, or common allergy symptoms, such as rashes, runny noses, or dark circles under the eyes.
Fortunately, there was tests, nutritional supports, acupuressure, and herbal remedies that can offer support and empowerment to families. Supporting the right nutritients, applying Craniosacral therapy, or teaching parents acupressure points, can make significant improvements in a child’s wellness.
