Even though the days of lock down are behind us, covid’s impact is still rampant in our lives. This blog post explores the impact on children’s mental health and emotional development, and how breathwork can support your child to regulate their emotions and build resiliency.
The Lasting Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Children’s Mental Health
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the mental health of children has emerged as a growing concern for parents, caregivers, and educators. The pandemic significantly disrupted children’s daily routines, closed schools, and created an environment of uncertainty and isolation. These changes have led to an increase in anxiety, depression, and stress in children of all ages. Even now, post-pandemic, many children continue to struggle with emotional dysregulation, finding it difficult to adjust back to school and social environments.
The social isolation that resulted from lockdowns and virtual learning stripped children of the essential social interactions necessary for emotional and social development. Without the structure of in-person learning and peer engagement, children missed out on key opportunities to practice emotional regulation in group settings. As they return to more “normal” routines, many are finding it difficult to manage their emotions, leading to heightened outbursts, frustration, and anxiety.
Additionally, children who were already facing mental health challenges before the pandemic have experienced an even greater impact. The heightened emotional and mental strain caused by prolonged isolation, combined with academic stress, has left many kids feeling overwhelmed.
Long-Term Effects on Brain Development
A study conducted by the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) in 2023 revealed something even more concerning: pandemic-related stress has caused signs of accelerated brain development in adolescents. This rapid brain growth, while a natural response to prolonged stress, may have long-term implications on emotional regulation and overall mental health.
Stress during critical periods of brain development can leave lasting imprints on how children process emotions. As they navigate post-pandemic life, many are finding that emotional regulation is more difficult than it was before. Their nervous systems are primed for stress responses, making it harder for them to self-soothe or return to a state of calm after emotional upsets. This is where tools like breathwork can make a significant difference in helping children reset and regulate their emotions.
Breathwork as a Solution for Emotional Regulation
Breathwork is a simple yet powerful tool that can help children regulate their emotions, calm their bodies, and manage stress. It works by activating the parasympathetic nervous system—also known as the body’s “rest and digest” system—which naturally brings the body back to a state of balance. By practicing breathwork regularly, children can learn to calm themselves during moments of emotional intensity, whether it’s stress, anxiety, frustration, or anger.
How Breathwork Helps
When children experience strong emotions, their bodies react by entering a fight-or-flight mode. Their heart rate increases, their breathing becomes shallow, and they may feel overwhelmed or out of control. Breathwork helps counter these responses by slowing down the breath, which sends a signal to the brain that it’s safe to relax. This allows the child to regain control over their emotions and body.
Breathwork techniques such as diaphragmatic breathing and box breathing are simple and accessible practices that children can use to calm down quickly, especially in moments of heightened stress. These techniques offer children a sense of control over their emotional responses, empowering them to manage difficult situations with greater ease.
Practical Application: Breathwork as a Daily Tool
Breathwork can be incorporated into a child’s daily routine to create a lasting impact on their ability to regulate emotions. Whether they are feeling overwhelmed at school or experiencing frustration at home, breathwork offers an effective and accessible way to help children return to a state of balance. The more frequently they practice, the better equipped they will be to manage their emotions in a healthy and productive way.
The Power of Personalized Breathwork Guidance
Every child’s emotional landscape is unique, which is why a personalized approach to breathwork can be incredibly beneficial. If your child is struggling with stress, anxiety, or emotional outbursts, I invite you to book a discovery call with me. Together, we can explore whether breathwork is the right tool to help your child navigate these challenges and breathe more easily.
Through a compassionate and trauma-informed approach, I can guide your child in learning how to use their breath to regulate emotions, build resilience, and develop a stronger connection to their body. Let’s see how breathwork can empower your child to face life’s emotional ups and downs with confidence.
Conclusion: Breathwork as a Tool for Post-Pandemic Emotional Healing
In this post-pandemic world, where many children are struggling to manage their emotions, breathwork offers a simple, accessible solution. By activating the parasympathetic nervous system, breathwork provides a sense of calm and balance, helping children regulate their emotions effectively.
As children continue to navigate the long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, equipping them with breathwork techniques can be a powerful way to support their mental and emotional health. If you think breathwork might benefit your child, book a discovery call today. Together, we can begin the journey toward emotional balance and resilience.
