The resounding answer is yes. Research shows that childhood stress compromises early brain development and affects the immune and nervous system. Stress makes your child a target for certain diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, heart diseases, high blood pressure, infections and allergies. It also leads to health-related problems as the child enters adulthood, including eating disorders, depression and alcoholism.

Stress experienced during pregnancy may also affect the baby’s immunity. Research suggests that women who had to deal with stressful situations during pregnancy have a higher chance of having babies with allergies and asthma.

Sources of childhood stress

There are a lot of things that could stress out your child. Children may be struggling with life changes, such as moving to a new neighborhood or a new school, getting used to a new yaya, the separation of parents, or death in the family. They may also be overwhelmed by too many extracurricular activities to have enough time for rest and play. They may also be absorbing anxiety inside your home, for instance, if they overhear you arguing. Another source of stress is peer pressure. Your child may be feeling insecure in school among friends.

Signs of stress

Stress can manifest in many ways. Physical signs include tummy aches and headaches. His behavior may also change—look out for bedwetting, difficulty in sleeping, mood swings, difficulty in studying and / or completing schoolwork. Other changes such as thumb sucking, nail biting, lying or bullying may also be signs that your child is stressed.

Dealing with your child’s stress

To help your child cope with stress, make sure you give him proper nutrition, ample exercise and enough rest. Quality time is also important to make him feel secure and loved. Gently coax him to tell you what’s on his mind. Then you can address his concerns together. Encourage him to write a journal to help him recognize his feelings. Remind them that it’s ok to feel bad sometimes, and other people go through awful experiences, too.

I always work towards creating a stable environment for my family. I’ve seen how this has had a positive impact on my own children who have grown up to become happy, well adjusted, healthy adolescents and young adults. So support your child. Teach him to cope with tough situations. Keep him happy by giving him large doses of love. This is the key to keeping the effects of stress on the immune system to a minimum.