Did you know that stress and anxiety can play a huge role in how comfortable and itch-free your child is during eczema and other skin sensitivity flare ups? No matter how tough a child is, being in a state of constant discomfort can wear away at the nerves and cause anxiety levels to be higher than usual. Most parents know when eczema or itching is an issue because their child’s behavior changes, but these same changes can actually keep the eczema cycle going longer than it needs to.

Here's a few simple ways you can help calm, cool, and relax your child anytime so that stress doesn’t get in the way of their immune system doing what it does best.

Play Big!

It can be hard to find time and energy for play when your child doesn’t feel great, but play could be the simplest and most effective way to relieve stress and anxiety. Just 30 minutes of active play when possible or more relaxed play like puzzles, games, or apps can give your child’s mind a chance to focus on something else so that stress can be relived. When physical play is appropriate, you’ll also be helping your child stretch and burn off excess energy which can promote deeper sleep and a stress-free tomorrow.

Get Involved

Sometimes the best way to break an anxiety or stress cycle is just to distract the mind and focus on something positive. Getting your child involved in making food, going on a walk, watching a new show, or making a phone call to a family member can give them something empowering to focus on so that their minds and bodies have a chance to let go of stress and strain.

Calming Foods

There are many foods that can help relax the body, soothe the nerves, and calm the mind.

Blueberries and cherries have vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that can help put a sweet smile on anyone’s face while also helping their body relieve stress.

Water

Hydrating the body can greatly reduce feelings of stress and strain. Sometimes a cool glass of water is all it takes to change a mood and create feelings of well-being!

Good Energy

Sometimes just reminding a child of how much they are loved, celebrating a small success, or making a special treat can be all it takes to help break a stress cycle and get them back to feeling great again. It’s easy to forget how frustrating it can be to feel less-that-great, so take time to celebrate whenever possible!

We hope you enjoy these simple anti-stress tips, and if you have any you’d like to share, we’d love to hear them!