It’s no secret that primary school, middle school, or high-school high-achieving children are under a lot of pressure. They are expected to do well in school, complete the FTCE Reading K-12 Boot Camp, excel in extracurricular activities, and get into a good college. With so much pressure, it’s important to promote self-care in your high-achieving child. Self-care is all about taking care of oneself physically, mentally, and emotionally. It’s important to teach your child healthy coping mechanisms and stress-relief techniques. Below are some tips on how to do just that.
Help them develop a skincare routine.
Just like your child works hard to maintain their grades and stay physically fit, they should also maintain their skin. A good skincare routine promotes self-care, which in turn will make your child look and feel their best. The most basic steps of any skincare routine are cleansing and moisturizing. Cleansing helps remove dirt, oil, and makeup from your skin, while moisturizing helps keep your skin hydrated. Be sure your child uses a gentle cleanser and a moisturizer that’s suited for their skin type. A concentrate, such as one infused with orange juice and nono-gold peptides could also protect the skin’s barrier. Further, if they have specific skin concerns, such as acne or wrinkles, address them head-on. There are a variety of products available to treat these concerns, so find the ones that work best and stick with them.
Encourage them to take effective breaks.
Self-care is important for all people, but especially for high-achieving children. They often have a lot of demands on their time and energy, which can lead to stress and burnout. It’s important for parents to encourage their children to take breaks throughout the day, so they can recharge and stay focused.
There are several ways parents can help their children take breaks throughout the day. One way is to set a good example yourself. If you take regular breaks, your child will be more likely to do the same. You can also help your child develop a routine that includes regular breaks. This might include taking a walk outside or spending time reading or relaxing in nature. It’s also important to allow your child some flexibility in how they take their breaks. Some children may prefer complete silence when they relax, while others may enjoy listening to calming music or reading quietly. Ultimately, it’s up to your child to find what works best for them and helps them recharge mentally and emotionally.
Teach them positive self-talk.
Teaching your high-achieving child about positive self-talk is a great way to help them deal with perfectionism. Encouraging them to talk positively to themselves can help them feel better about themselves and their accomplishments, even when they don’t meet their own high standards. Additionally, teaching your child how to deal with perfectionism can help them learn how to cope with stress and anxiety in healthy ways.
Encourage them to express their emotions in healthily.
Encouraging your high-achieving child to express their emotions in healthy ways can be a challenge, but it’s important for their overall well-being. When they bottle up their feelings, your child may become depressed or anxious. Alternatively, they may act out in destructive ways.
One way to help your child open up is to model healthy emotional expression yourself. If you’re able to share your thoughts and feelings honestly and openly, your child will be more likely to do the same. You can also provide a safe space for them to talk by establishing regular check-in times during which they can discuss anything that’s on their mind. It’s also important to praise your child when they display healthy emotional behaviors. For example, if they take a moment to calm down before reacting angrily, tell them how proud you are of them for managing their emotions effectively. This type of positive reinforcement will help encourage them to continue expressing themselves in healthy ways.
Overall, promoting self-care in your high-achieving child is important because it will help them maintain a healthy balance in their life. This is essential because it will help them be successful and, more importantly, grounded in all they do.