Disclosure: this post contains affiliate links to Amazon. You can read more about this on my Disclosure page. All opinions are my own. These items are not to be used in place of any medical or professional advice.
1. Favorite Supplements for Kids with Anxiety
Just a reminder, I am not a doctor! Please do not give your child supplements unless you've checked with your child's pediatrician first. I am not suggesting that everyone run out and buy these supplements, I'm just sharing what has been successful in our household and then you need to do your research from there. That being said, the two supplements we found most useful for anxiety are
Zarbee's Naturals Children's Sleep with Melatonin before bed (especially on school nights), and Natural Vitality Calm Gummies (which is really a magnesium supplement, so definitely check with your child's doctor before trying these). My kiddo is pretty picky and likes the taste of both of these. We only use the Calm Gummies once in a while or during extremely stressful school times. I actually like them myself, and do feel that they help when I'm feeling overly stressed out. I like to take them before bed.
2. Anxiety Books for Kids: What to Do When You Worry Too Much
I've read a lot of books about anxiety in kids and plenty of picture books that help kids deal with their worries. But What To Do When You Worry Too Much by Dawn Huebner is one of the first books we read that isn't a story or a non-fiction analysis. It's actually a workbook to help kids with their fears and anxieties, and some of the acitivities were really helpful. We particularly loved their worry box idea, as well as the activity pages that require kids to write or draw what they are feeling. It's not all journaling and writing- there are exercises, musical suggestions and so much more. I highly recommend this one for kids (teens and tweens, no so much- it's more for younger children, 6-11 years old).
3. Hoo-rags
Does your child have anxiety about wearing a mask in public, or wearing a mask at all for that matter? Maybe they don't like the feeling of something hooked on their ears (I know I don't). Well,...let's save the gaiter! A recent study was published comparing the effectiveness of different safety masks. Media headlines read "Gaiters Are the Same as Wearing No Mask at All!" or something of the sort. But the media had stretched the truth and rebuttle articles followed, supporting the gaiter and its effectiveness (check out Save the Gaiters from the New York Times). In the New York Times article about saving the gaiter, Dr. Lindsey Marr, a professor of civil and environmental engineering at Virginia Tech who is one of the world’s leading authorities on aerosols said, “I’ve been recommending neck gaiters, and my kids wear neck gaiters. There’s nothing inherent about a neck gaiter that should make it any worse than a cloth mask. It comes down to the fabric and how well it fits.” That being said, I recommend Hoo-rag and their awesome half-hoos, which were sent to me as samples a few months ago. The half-hoo is my son's favorite, and one of the most comfortable facial coverings you can wear. My personal fave, pictured below: the Hoo-rag Sedona Sunrise Bandana.
4. Dream Pad
I was first introduced to Dreampad during Social Media on the Sand at Beaches Resort Turks and Caicos. Here's some info about how it works, right from their website:
"The Dreampad's patented vibrational sound system and proprietary music make this a completely different - and more effective - experience than listening to music through a sound machine or traditional speaker. Dreampad music travels internally, signaling your nervous system to relax so you can ease into a great night's sleep. If you have chronic sleep problems, when it's time to sleep, you will sleep...Dreampad music is developed specifically for sleep and the technology inside each Dreampad converts sound waves into resonant music that travels internally, signaling your nervous system to relax so you can ease into a great night's sleep.
We really enjoyed the Dream Pad. My son found the pillow relaxing and we used it to "chill" before bed time. Just keep in mind that you need a smartphone or device nearby in order for the Dream Pad to work (this made it challenging for us to use the pillow as a sleep method because my son does not have an iPad or smartphone to keep in his room over night). It's very unique because you don't hear loud music- it's almost like the music plays through the pillow. See the demo video below! Also good for adults.
5. The UPside Delivered
The UPside Delivered sent me a sample of their awesome subscription box (the "Begin Box"). I absolutely love the concept of it, especially with younger kids. It's basically a subscription box service (who doesn't love getting mail these days, honestly) and the box is filled with items to help kids de-stress and cope with their anxiety. My sample box came in a cute themed box which was neatly (and lovingly, I might add) packaged. Inside was a feelings journaling book, sensory rings, Aaron's Thinking Putty, bubbles, ideas for "creating your calm," a Buddha Board, stress-ball "squishy," and a scratch note board.
Here's a little blurb about The UPside Delivered, right from their site: "Our Standard Subscription box includes four boxes that you will receive quarterly: The Begin Box, The Find Your Feelings Box, The Move Your Mood Box, and a Create Your Calm Box. All four boxes will include a research-based CBT (Cognitive Behavior Training) lesson and coaching for adults, along with five to seven items for the child to help improve coping skills. A trusted adult will follow the 'How to Coach' card inside the box, which will detail instructions on how to use the items along with CBT techniques that introduce the connection between our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors (the foundation of Cognitive Behavioral Therapy)." Their disclaimer is that all of their boxes include a lesson designed with coaching in mind; providing tools along with ideas connected to cognitive behavior therapy. While not a replacement for therapy - the ideas in the boxes connect tools to techniques.
And be sure to check out these other books and ideas for anxiety through my Amazon affiliate links below:
