How to Remove Social Anxiety in a Child?
Introduction:
Is your child active around known people and shy around ones they don’t know well? Well, most children are like this, aren’t they? However, if you see that your child fears being with others, it might be social anxiety.
Just like regular anxiety that makes you worry a lot, social anxiety is when you feel uncomfortable or even scared of being amidst people. It goes beyond shyness. It is more of fear when they are in a social gathering. Kids who don’t develop social skills are uncomfortable speaking to others, even their peers.
As a parent, you need to understand the signs and symptoms of social anxiety. Your otherwise happy child might suddenly blush, sweat, tremble, and be unable to speak due to the ‘mind going blank’. He or she might feel nauseous, be unable to look anyone in the eye, and even speak. Social anxiety stunts a growth mindset. This prevents your child from trying lest she or he fails or makes a mistake. The feeling of letting others down or being ridiculed becomes strong. Such feelings don’t allow your child to realize her or his full potential.
Let’s explore ways in which we can remove social anxiety in kids
1. Accept and Understand
The first step to remove social stress is to accept that your child may be suffering from it. Explain to your child the reasons for feeling scared in social situations. Help them to understand the connection between the situation and their emotions. Show them the negative impacts of anxiety on their thoughts and behaviour. You can explain this to your child with an example. Talk to a colleague and tell them that you need him or her to call you. Pretend on the call that you are anxious. Mess the call-up and tell them how your anxiety got the better of you. On the very next day, take another call. Remain calm and end the call on a good note. Show them by doing that anxiety is never good for you.
2. Teach Relaxation Techniques
If your child feels anxious in social gatherings, teach them tricks to control their stress. Focus on techniques to calm the mind when under stress. Deep breathing is one of the best ways. Teach your child to visualize the blowing up of a balloon. You can even teach them to count backwards. Tell your child a story or guide your child to close her/his eyes. Let them imagine a happy place that helps them relax. This technique is known as guided imagery. Anxiety usually leads to the tensing of muscles. It is important to teach your child to relax her or his muscles. If your child is anxious, they may feel negative. Help your child to recognize these thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
3. Teach Problem Solving Skills
You may notice that your child often avoids situations that trigger anxiety. This has a negative impact as they grow up. Teach your child not to run away from the situation but to face it. If your child fears public speaking, teach them to talk in front of a mirror. Record their speech and let them hear it. Encourage them to feel good about themselves. Teach them that every problem has a solution. Work on problems together to get solutions.
4. Build Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Does your child only hesitate to talk to strangers? Is he or she quiet in school but talks a lot with you? If so, then you can improve the situation with role-playing. Act like your child’s class teacher. Help them come out of their shells and open up. Help them make friends. Show your child that there is nothing to be afraid or anxious about in any situation.
In Conclusion
Address social anxiety as soon as you can. It can affect your child adversely. The good news is that overcoming social anxiety is easy. As a parent, help your child to recognize and cope with the symptoms. Implement strategies to overcome the situation. This goes a long way in taking social anxiety in your child. For such you should try learning via Angel Bear Yoga Parent’s Course which not only teaches yoga but interpersonal and actual life skills.
How to Remove Social Anxiety in a Child?
Introduction:
Is your child active around known people and shy around ones they don’t know well? Well, most children are like this, aren’t they? However, if you see that your child fears being with others, it might be social anxiety.
Just like regular anxiety that makes you worry a lot, social anxiety is when you feel uncomfortable or even scared of being amidst people. It goes beyond shyness. It is more of fear when they are in a social gathering. Kids who don’t develop social skills are uncomfortable speaking to others, even their peers.
As a parent, you need to understand the signs and symptoms of social anxiety. Your otherwise happy child might suddenly blush, sweat, tremble, and be unable to speak due to the ‘mind going blank’. He or she might feel nauseous, be unable to look anyone in the eye, and even speak. Social anxiety stunts a growth mindset. This prevents your child from trying lest she or he fails or makes a mistake. The feeling of letting others down or being ridiculed becomes strong. Such feelings don’t allow your child to realize her or his full potential.
Let’s explore ways in which we can remove social anxiety in kids
1. Accept and Understand
The first step to remove social stress is to accept that your child may be suffering from it. Explain to your child the reasons for feeling scared in social situations. Help them to understand the connection between the situation and their emotions. Show them the negative impacts of anxiety on their thoughts and behaviour. You can explain this to your child with an example. Talk to a colleague and tell them that you need him or her to call you. Pretend on the call that you are anxious. Mess the call-up and tell them how your anxiety got the better of you. On the very next day, take another call. Remain calm and end the call on a good note. Show them by doing that anxiety is never good for you.
2. Teach Relaxation Techniques
If your child feels anxious in social gatherings, teach them tricks to control their stress. Focus on techniques to calm the mind when under stress. Deep breathing is one of the best ways. Teach your child to visualize the blowing up of a balloon. You can even teach them to count backwards. Tell your child a story or guide your child to close her/his eyes. Let them imagine a happy place that helps them relax. This technique is known as guided imagery. Anxiety usually leads to the tensing of muscles. It is important to teach your child to relax her or his muscles. If your child is anxious, they may feel negative. Help your child to recognize these thoughts and replace them with positive ones.
3. Teach Problem Solving Skills
You may notice that your child often avoids situations that trigger anxiety. This has a negative impact as they grow up. Teach your child not to run away from the situation but to face it. If your child fears public speaking, teach them to talk in front of a mirror. Record their speech and let them hear it. Encourage them to feel good about themselves. Teach them that every problem has a solution. Work on problems together to get solutions.
4. Build Communication and Interpersonal Skills
Does your child only hesitate to talk to strangers? Is he or she quiet in school but talks a lot with you? If so, then you can improve the situation with role-playing. Act like your child’s class teacher. Help them come out of their shells and open up. Help them make friends. Show your child that there is nothing to be afraid or anxious about in any situation.
In Conclusion
Address social anxiety as soon as you can. It can affect your child adversely. The good news is that overcoming social anxiety is easy. As a parent, help your child to recognize and cope with the symptoms. Implement strategies to overcome the situation. This goes a long way in taking social anxiety in your child. For such you should try learning via Angel Bear Yoga Parent’s Course which not only teaches yoga but interpersonal and actual life skills.
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