In the non-stop pace of a student’s life, there is immense power in the simple act of pausing. A clinical psychologist’s advice on self-regulation points to the value of integrating small, mindful breaks throughout the day to help children and teens manage stress, reset their focus, and prevent the cumulative exhaustion that leads to burnout.
While extended breaks like ‘Non-Academic Days’ are crucial for teenagers, smaller, more frequent pauses can be just as effective. This connects to the recommendation from clinical psychologist Meghna Kanwat to teach “self-regulation skills” like “deep breathing” and “grounding exercises.” These are, in essence, structured pauses designed to calm the nervous system.
Parents can encourage their children to build these “power pauses” into their routine. For instance, after finishing a challenging piece of homework, they could take five minutes to do some deep breathing, stretch, or simply look out the window. This helps to break up long periods of intense mental effort and prevents cognitive fatigue.
For younger children, these pauses can be more playful. A short, energetic “dance break” between activities or a few minutes of quiet coloring can serve the same purpose, allowing their brains to switch gears and recharge before moving on to the next task.
By normalizing and encouraging these small moments of rest, parents teach their children a vital skill for managing energy and stress. They learn that it’s not only acceptable but beneficial to step away and reset. This simple habit of pausing can make a significant difference in their ability to sustain effort and well-being over the long term.