How to Help Kids Process Helene: Supporting Your Child's Recovery in Asheville, NC
When natural disasters like Tropical Storm Helene affect our community, children often experience stress differently than adults. At Monitto Chiropractic, we understand that supporting your child's emotional and physical well-being during this time requires a gentle, comprehensive approach.
Understanding Your Child's Stress Response
Children may show stress through various behaviors and physical symptoms:
1. Emotional Signs
- Increased anxiety or clinginess
- Changes in sleep patterns
- Difficulty concentrating
- Recurring thoughts about the storm
- Heightened emotions or mood swings
- Fear of future weather events
- Regression in behavior
2. Physical Manifestations
- Stomach aches
- Headaches
- Muscle tension
- Changes in appetite
- Fatigue
- Restlessness
- Sleep disturbances
How Chiropractic Care Supports Your Child's Nervous System
At Monitto Chiropractic, we specialize in gentle pediatric adjustments that help balance your child's central nervous system. Here's how chiropractic care makes a difference:
Calming the Stress Response
- Reduces nerve interference that can amplify stress responses
- Helps shift from "fight or flight" to "rest and digest" mode
- Promotes natural relaxation responses
- Supports better sleep patterns
- Enhances the body's natural healing abilities
Gentle Techniques for Growing Bodies
Our pediatric adjustments are:
- Specifically designed for children's developing bodies
- Extremely gentle and safe
- Customized to each child's needs
- Comfortable and non-threatening
- Effective for stress relief
At Home Strategies for Supporting Your Child's Recovery
1. Maintain Consistent Routines
- Keep regular meal times to provide stability
- Maintain normal bedtime rituals
- Continue usual weekend activities when safe
- Stick to homework and study schedules
- Preserve family traditions and regular activities
- Create new, comforting routines if old ones are disrupted
2. Create Safe Spaces
- Designate a quiet corner with soft pillows and blankets
- Set up a "calm down box" with:
- Favorite stuffed animals
- Stress balls or fidget toys
- Coloring books and crayons
- Family photos
- Comfort items from before the storm
- Maintain a clutter-free, organized environment
- Use soft lighting and calming colors
- Play gentle background music if it helps
3. Encourage Emotional Expression
- Set aside daily "feeling check-in" times
- Use art projects to process emotions:
- Drawing pictures of feelings
- Creating storm-related artwork
- Making gratitude collages
- Keep a shared family journal
- Use storytelling to work through experiences
- Practice age-appropriate mindfulness activities
4. Physical Activity and Movement
- Regular exercise to release tension
- Family walks in safe areas
- Gentle stretching exercises
- Dance parties to release energy
- Yoga poses designed for kids
- Outdoor play when weather permits
5. Open Communication Strategies
- Create daily discussion times
- Use age-appropriate language
- Validate all feelings without judgment
- Share your own feelings appropriately
- Answer questions honestly but hopefully
- Listen more than you speak
- Watch for non-verbal cues
- Avoid dismissing fears or concerns
6. Establish Healthy Sleep Habits
- Consistent bedtime and wake-up times
- Relaxing bedtime routine:
- Warm bath or shower
- Gentle stretching
- Reading together
- Soft music or white noise
- Limit screen time before bed
- Keep bedrooms cool and dark
- Use night lights if needed
7. Nutrition and Hydration
- Maintain regular meal times
- Offer comfort foods in moderation
- Ensure adequate water intake
- Include mood-boosting foods:
- Fresh fruits and vegetables
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Healthy fats
- Limit sugar and processed foods
8. Family Connection Time
- Schedule daily quality time
- Share meals together
- Play board games
- Work on puzzles
- Tell family stories
- Look at photo albums
- Plan future activities together
9. Community Engagement
- Connect with other affected families
- Participate in community clean-up (when age-appropriate)
- Attend community support events
- Help neighbors when possible
- Share resources with others
- Create care packages for affected friends
10. Monitor Media Exposure
- Limit news coverage viewing
- Filter storm-related content
- Focus on positive stories
- Discuss news together when viewed
- Address misconceptions promptly
- Share age-appropriate updates
11. Recognize Progress
- Celebrate small victories
- Notice positive changes
- Keep a recovery journal
- Take photos of happy moments
- Create a "strength wall" with accomplishments
- Share success stories with family
12. Practice Self-Care Together
- Model stress management techniques
- Deep breathing exercises:
- "Birthday cake" breaths
- Balloon breathing
- Dragon breaths
- Simple meditation activities
- Progressive muscle relaxation
- Visualization exercises
- Gratitude practices
Signs of Progress
Look for these positive indicators:
- Return to normal sleep patterns
- Increased appetite
- More frequent smiling and laughter
- Interest in usual activities
- Better concentration
- Decreased anxiety
- Improved mood stability
- More independence
- Better physical relaxation
When to Seek Additional Help
Contact healthcare providers if you notice:
- Persistent sleep problems
- Ongoing physical complaints
- Continued high anxiety
- Significant behavior changes
- Social withdrawal
- Academic difficulties
- Prolonged sadness
- Regression that doesn't improve
Professional Support at Monitto Chiropractic
We offer:
- Initial assessments to understand your child's specific needs
- Gentle pediatric adjustments
- Stress-reduction techniques suitable for children
- Guidance for parents on supporting nervous system health
- Ongoing wellness support for the whole family
Signs Your Child May Benefit from Chiropractic Care
Watch for:
- Changes in posture
- Disrupted sleep patterns
- Increased irritability
- Physical complaints
- Difficulty concentrating
- Behavioral changes
- Anxiety symptoms
Why Choose Monitto Chiropractic for Your Child?
Our practice specializes in family care with:
- Extensive experience in pediatric chiropractic
- A child-friendly environment
- Gentle, proven techniques
- Comprehensive wellness approach
- Understanding, patient practitioners
- Focus on both immediate and long-term well-being
Additional Resources for Families
Local Support Services
- School Counseling Services
- Family Crisis Support: 988
- Vaya Health Crisis Line: 1-800-849-6127
- Hope4NC Helpline: 1-855-587-3463
Educational Resources
We provide:
- Age-appropriate stress management techniques
- Parent education materials
- Regular workshops on child wellness
- Community support resources
Take the First Step in Supporting Your Child's Recovery
At Monitto Chiropractic, we're committed to helping Asheville's children process and recover from the effects of Tropical Storm Helene. Our gentle, holistic approach supports both physical and emotional well-being during this challenging time.
Schedule a Consultation Today
Let us help your child find balance and resilience through natural, effective care.
Call: (828) 252-7400. You can find us at 206 Merrimon Avenue, Asheville.
What to Expect
- Comprehensive initial assessment
- Kid-friendly environment
- Gentle techniques
- Customized care plans
- Ongoing support
Your child's health and well-being are our priority. Contact us today to learn how we can support your family's recovery journey.