7 Ways To Improve Mood And Concentration In Children

Illustration of how to improve mood and concentration in children (Unsplash/S&B Vonlanthen)

YOGYAKARTA – Mental health in children needs to be maintained and built consistently. As the party who contributes greatly in forming mental stability and good concentration, parents need to get used to good habits since their children are still small. Especially when they begin to learn to walk, be independent, and can play with their peers.

Reported by the Pesonalized Integrative Therapy page, Tuesday, June 28, in 2021 it was reported in the data that one in seven children in Perth, Australia aged between 4-17 years experienced mental health disorders. This equates to more than 500,000 predominantly male children. Regardless of the data, it is important for parents to take simple steps to improve their child's mood and concentration in the following ways.

1. Improve diet

Nutrition is important for a child's health, and can directly affect mood, concentration, and behavior. Try to get children to eat natural foods, such as fruit, vegetables, lean meats, whole grains, and nuts. Set consistent times and measure portions appropriately. In addition, limit the consumption of junk food at home and introduce new food variations at home.

2. Adequate nutritional intake

A number of nutrients have been identified as beneficial in improving mood, concentration, and behavior. These nutrients include B vitamins, which play a role in metabolism, optimize neurotransmitter function, and have been proven by studies to play a role in mood regulation and general thought processes. Furthermore, omega-3 in fish can function as neuroprotective and increase nerve transmission. Meanwhile, vitamin C has the ability to trigger serotonin production and protect the brain.

Illustration of sufficient nutrition to improve mood and concentration in children (iStockphoto)

In addition, parents can supplement their nutritional needs with foods that contain vitamin D, iron, and zinc. All of these nutrients are related to nerve growth, neurotransmitter production, and affect the ability of brain receptors.

3. Involve children to stay active

For example, by inviting children to participate in sports regularly, it can be useful to improve mood, concentration, and positive behavior. The child is still active, it is also good for the circulation of blood to all body tissues, including the brain, to keep it smooth. Studies also show that staying active can reduce anxiety, increase children's self-confidence and self-esteem.

4. Improve your child's sleep habits

Gadgets sometimes provide a source of knowledge because they can access a lot of knowledge. But it is necessary to set screen time so as not to interfere with the child's sleeping habits. Sleep habits are related to cognitive performance, if the habits are bad, then the effect will also not be good. How to form healthy sleeping habits, provide consistent hours of sleep every day. If you usually sleep at 21.00, it needs to be done at the same time for the next day and so on. Avoid allowing children to access devices and electronic equipment at bedtime.

5. Limit the use of technology, such as computers, tablets and devices

Many psychologists believe that children's mood dysregulation is often the result of overuse of technological devices. According to them, too long and frequent access to all features on computers, tablets, and gadgets causes hyperarousal, compulsive use, and has a negative impact on sleep hours.

6. Help children develop healthy social relationships

By establishing social relationships, children will learn values, knowledge, and effective communication skills. It also contributes positively to the children themselves. Parents need not only to give them time to play, but also to talk about moral issues so that children can express their opinions from their perspective.

7. Keep a consistent routine

Consistency is the key in shaping children's behavior. Steps to stay consistent and disciplined, may not be easy. But it can be applied in stages, from agreeing on common rules to pointing out the consequences of behavior.

Those are the seven ways to maintain a child's mood and concentration. In addition, it also shapes the behavior of children, you know.