With this unprecedented back-to-school season upon us, nerves and anxiety are at an all time high. Whether your child is returning to the classroom or learning online, school is going to look very different this year.
According to Brain Health Expert Aneesh Chaudhry, the new "normal" of learning and school is a unique mental struggle and it's important to pay attention to your child's mental health just as much as their physical health.
"The past four months have been an emotional rollercoaster and children are not exempt. Whether we are sending students back for in-person school or not, we need to put emphasis on providing mental health support...regardless if kids seem anxious or not..."
...says Chaudhry, a health specialist who has been instrumental in re-developing and implementing mental and physical wellness programs in the educational system. Through his non profit organization, SoulPhysio Foundation, Chaudhry works with existing schools to help educate faculty, parents, and students (specifically kids struggling with mental and neurological illness) on how to build a healthier brain by living a healthy lifestyle.
Going back to school is a big transition not only for kids but also their parents and teachers as they shift from summer's freedom and lack of structure to the measured routines of school. The pandemic has created enduring changes to the way we live which has inevitably caused a lot of fear, confusion, and stress for all ages.
"Learning is impossible when riddled with anxiety and/or struggling to adapt to the rapidly-changing circumstances. Parents, kids, and teachers are all grappling with change and they desperately needs positive strategies to cope..."
...says Chaudhry. This global crisis has made school and learning extremely difficult and managing mental health is imperative. One suggestion Chaudhry has for parents and teachers is to to regularly have emotional check-ins with kids, even if they aren't giving clear warning signs. Chaudhry is also an advocate of creating routines, scheduling breaks, carving out time for focus, and socializing. He encourages parents to shift their mindset and make wellness a family endeavor by engaging in family activities like cooking, exercising, and meditating.
I had a chance to interview Aneesh, Brain Health Expert and Founder of SoulPhysio Lifestyle and the Soul Physio Foundation.
How can this year's back-to-school have even more anxiety than previous years?
This year’s back to school situation has significantly more anxiety than that of previous years. The hybrid of online/in person learning while the pandemic continues creates the perfect breeding ground for heightened anxiety. Parents are not only having to deal with changing professional situations, but also helping their children navigate. It is super important for parents to keep calm and assure their children that everything is going to be okay. Even though parents will be anxious, it is important to avoid transferring that anxiety to children as they look to the parents for strength and guidance through these challenging times.
How can parents help their kids adjust to new routines?
Parents need to be there to support their children mentally and emotionally through these times. This means checking in with them regularly to see how they are doing and going above and beyond to comfort them even if they seem like they are fine. Spending time on a daily basis giving children undivided attention is important to give them a sense of comfort. Some different ways to do this is to play board games, go for a walk, cook dinner together, and then have dinner together as a family.
What might some of the long-term effects of the Covid-19 pandemic be?
One of the biggest long term consequences of Covid on the brain will be the trauma that many people will experience for years to come. Trauma does not just happen to those who go off to war. Trauma occurs when there is an emotionally overwhelming set of circumstances that tend to happen in an acute or sudden manner. Covid has all of these characteristics. This is why it is very important for parents to be educated about the importance of mental health and work to cater to children’s mental health to minimize the amount of trauma they experience from our current situation.
How can parents focus on family wellness while they're still adjusting to new routines?
One of the best ways to focus on family wellness is to cook and eat together as a family on a daily basis. Teaching children about the importance of food and how it impacts the brain will shape their future in a positive way. While cooking, give children safe and manageable tasks such as retrieving items from the fridge, stirring food on the stove, mixing ingredients, and chopping food (if old enough and supervised). While engaging in these tasks verbally explain why certain ingredients are being used and how they are healthy to the body. Once the meal is cooked, sit down together as a family to eat with all devices away from the table. This will give a sense of accomplishment for the child to eat a meal that they helped to prepare.
ABOUT ANEESH CHAUDHRY____________________________________________
Aneesh Chaudhry is a health specialist who has been instrumental in re-developing and implementing mental and physical wellness programs in the educational system. Through his non-profit organization, SoulPhysio Foundation, Chaudhry works with existing schools to help educate faculty, parents, and students (specifically kids struggling with mental and neurological illness) on how to succeed academically and build a healthier brain by living a healthy lifestyle.
Chaudhry is also the founder of SoulPhysio Lifestyle, a brain health clinic and integrative healthcare network that specializes in treatments that combine both Eastern and Western Medical techniques. He holds a bachelor's degree in Neuropsychology from Wright State University and a personal training license through the Cooper Institute. In addition, he holds a number of other mental and physical health certifications including accreditation as a Reiki Master, a Mind-Body Specialist, a Brain Health Coach, and a Performance Nutrition Specialist. Chaudhry is on track to be a licensed Ayurvedic and Integrative Medicine Practitioner in 2022 and following this, he plans to pursue a PhD in Physiology and Health.
For More Information Visit: www.soulphysiolifestyle.com
Website: www.soulphysiolifestyle.com
Facebook: @soulphysiolifestyle
Instagram: @SoulPhysioLifestyle
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/aneesh-chaudhry-986186145/
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