Mental health is a pillar of our well-being that should be prioritized daily. It is just as crucial to keep it in good health as your physical health. What may be unbeknownst to many of us is that there are many afflictions related to mental health. Anxiety is a huge one, and a large majority of us suffer greatly from it.

As you get older, you may find ways to control and cope with your anxiety. However, parents know all too well that anxiety may hamper their kids, irrespective of age. If you have a son in their early twenties, anxiety may affect them differently compared to your daughter.

Here are how to support your son when it comes to anxiety-related symptoms.

1. Be Open

Despite the progress made, there is still a stigma on how we talk about mental health. That is why it becomes all the more important for us to be open and honest with our communication. When you approach your son to talk about anxiety, do not be confrontational in your speech.

Rather, try your best to be in a learning state. This refers to hearing your son’s thoughts without reservation and remaining open to learning about their challenges. Sometimes, anxiety can be a very heavy topic to discuss, especially with kids. It is in your best interest to do it regardless so that your son knows you have their best interests at heart.

2. Be Relatable

As parents, your kids may look at you as nigh invincible. You are their first role model, and they will, intentionally or otherwise, mirror your behaviours and actions. That is why it becomes vital to model yourself as a good person. Do not try to demonize their behaviours at a young age since you may have gone through the same phases as well.

Not only does being relatable to your kid make them feel comforted, but it also shows that you are human. Once they grow into fully-fledged adults, they will also recognize that you had your issues. That’s what makes us all human at the end of the day. Knowing that we experience our battles on our terms makes the connection more genuine!

3. Psychotherapy

Despite many attempts to provide great advice to our kids, it may still fall on deaf ears. It is not because you are doing a bad job, but rather, anxiety is much harder to deal with. A professional’s advice and counselling are needed for all illnesses and conditions. Case in point: try working with online psychotherapy to assist your son.

These professionals are expertly trained to speak about a range of symptoms related to anxiety. The condition is much more than feeling a lump in one’s throat. These professionals will create a system that helps walk your son through the hurdles they face. Sooner or later, you will see progress made, and they will be all the better!

4. Activities

The ability to take your mind off of life’s challenges via a hobby is incredibly underrated. If you feel that your son is not coping well with his current condition, spend some time with him. Try to make it an interactive affair. After that, the hobby or activity allows you both to engage. It forces both parties to go out of their way to accomplish a shared goal.

Every little interaction counts, from playing basketball at the local court to going for a run to even painting. Plus, it makes a difference, knowing that genuine time is being spent together. It may come to a close eventually, but the time you spend together doing cool stuff matters!

5. Self-Care

While you may be doing everything you can to support your son, don’t forget to take care of yourself too. The lasting impacts of this endeavour can feel debilitating. Do not forget to decompress and do something you love whenever you can.

6. Support Groups

Persuading your son to join a support group may help if they feel confident. Not only can they speak about their issues in a safe space, but they may make lifelong friends here, too. It is a great way to connect with others who may be going through the same life obstacles.

7. Reassurance

Parents should know how to keep their children feeling safe and secure in their bodies. This same sentiment applies to the mind; always make your son feel confident. It has a large, positive impact on their ability to make it through their daily tasks and hurdles!