Ask the Doctor :: Tips to Help Your Child Cope with Stress

Ask the Doctor:

Question: My teen is showing signs of stress, mostly due to homework and sports. What can I do to support her, nutritionally?

 

We tend to forget that our children get feel stressed: from learning to walk and talk to taking exams. Most stress is acute; however, when stress becomes chronic, not only are the adrenal glands working harder – additional hormones are released – other systems of the body begin working to balance the extra load of the adrenals, nutrient distribution is increased possibly causing low levels of certain nutrients plus, the immune system becomes suppressed (approximately 70% of the immune system is located in the digestive system, therefore, both systems will be greatly affected). This suppression will increase the risk of viral infection and illness.

When children appear stressed or even struggling with more schoolwork, or playing extra hard in a sport, begin nurturing both the immune and digestive system. Below are a few suggestions.

 

 

Digestive Support

Probiotics

Known as the friendly bacteria in the gut, they aid in keeping the digestive system strong and healthy. Approximately 70% of the immune system is in the digestive system so you are getting lots of support by taking probiotics.

Castor oil packs

Castor oil is a vegetable oil obtained from castor bean/seed. Similar to hydrotherapy, castor oil has a long history of traditional medical use dating back to ancient Egypt. Although the healing properties of this oil are still unrecognized, the results have been apparent through the years people have been using it.

I use castor oil regularly as a pack applied to the abdomen. Like hydrotherapy, it enhances circulation and promotes healing of the tissues and organs underneath the skin. It improves liver function, relieves pain, reduces inflammation and improves digestion. Click here to learn more.

Diet

1. Eat more greens…

And your yellows, blues, reds and oranges. Indulging taste buds and body in a wide variety of colorful nutrient packed foods is the first step in giving the immune a fabulous fighting chance to combat any germs.

2. keep hydrated…

Quenching thirst with fluids is important in keeping the body hydrated and flushing out (emmunctetories) toxins. If plain water is hard to drink for your kids, try  iced  herbal teas  or infuse water with citrus fruit like oranges and lemons.

 

 

Botanicals

Bach Flower: Rescue Remedy

Most people are most familiar with the Bach Flower, rescue remedy; it is in many houses, cars and purses. Rescue remedy is great for stressful events that are coming up (tests) or when bad news is received. The beauty of Bach Flower remedies is their ability to quickly bring us back to a balanced state to allow us to calmly deal with the situation we are in.

Licorice – Glycirriza glabra is my all time favorite herb; it tastes great, soothes the digestive system, nourishes the adrenal glands, and helps out the immune system. Add a little ( less than 1 teaspoon ) licorice glycerite in warm water to drink or purchase a licorice mint tea from your local healthfood store. Kids usually enjoy the taste as well.

*if you have high blood pressure, heart failure, kidney disease or liver ailments, licorice is something you should not take at all.

Ginseng

When used for months – long-term stress – Siberian ginseng has been shown to aid and normalize reactions both to physical and mental stress ( this is better for older teens).

 

Lastly, Sleep

Sleep is important. Create a regular sleep pattern for your children; for example, going to bed at 8 every night and waking up at 6. The key is to listen to your body. This maybe more difficult for teens, but they need a lot of sleep, so if they want to nap, let them.

Be well,

dr. heather

 

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

Photo courtesy of Flickr:

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