how to support your high school senior during the pandemic!!

As the parent of a high school senior who is applying to college during COVID, I realize the unique stressors this group is under making what is normally a difficult process even more challenging. 

The parent class representatives from my daughter's school recently asked for tips on how to support your daughter.  As I wrote these down it occurred to me that the advice might be beneficial to parents outside of our school as well. 

1.  Be available to talk when she want too, but don't bring up stressful subjects on your own. 

2.  If you have an argument about college, ask your daughter to inquire about the subject with the school college counselor who should be a neutral source of information. 

3.  Provide a protein based breakfast every day.  This helps keep blood sugar levels stable throughout the day and helps keep her mood steady.   

4.  Have healthy snacks on hand for when she needs one (apples with peanut butter or yogurt with nuts are my favorites), to help her avoid eating junk which can also negatively impact mood. 

5.  Avoid too much reliance on stimulants like caffeine and sugar as those tend to exacerbate stress. 

6.  Encourage her to exercise daily.  Evercise of any kind is a great hormone regulator and again helps maintain a steady mood. 

7.  If your daughter is open to it, daily meditation is a wonderful lifelong tool to have.  Both Calm and Headspace are great apps to try for beginners. 

8.  Acupuncture can help boost them up when they are exhausted or calm them down when they are stressed. 

9.  Magnesium is the original anti-anxiety aid.  This can be taken before bed to help with sleep or they can take and epsom salt soak or use magnesium oil on the neck and shoulders that may be stiff and fatigued from too much zoom time. 

10.  Encourage your daughter to spend some time with friends.  It is easy right now to take a masked/socially distanced walk in the park or eat outside.