The mental health and well-being of a child are just as important as their physical health. By raising a child who is mentally strong, resilient, and able to balance emotions, we raise a child who is fundamentally happy and living a complete existence. We routinely take steps to ensure that our children maintain optimum physical health, but we should also ensure that we are doing everything we can to raise a child who is happy and has optimum mental health.

Good mental health builds a child's resilience and ability to cope with problems, both whilst growing up and in adulthood. It ensures that they can form friendships and attachments and take part in healthy social interactions. Good mental health also contributes directly to a child's education and learning, by ensuring that they are emotionally equipped to deal with developmental milestones and learning opportunities. Looking after a child's mental health ensures that they are better able to regulate mood, reduce feelings of anxiety, increase feelings of self-esteem, and also contribute to good sleep patterns and physical health.

What can we do to promote a child's mental health?

Every child needs a calm home environment, a safe space for them to unwind and relax where they feel secure and loved. Home should be a space where a child can wind down and unburden themselves from the stressors of the day, where they have adults and peers who they can confide in, feel comfortable around, and whom they trust.

A good night's sleep is paramount to optimum mental health and happiness, especially for children and teenagers who are growing, learning, and going through all the emotions of physical changes to their bodies. Sleep requirements vary with age, but some 10-13 hours of sleep per night is average. Creating a space where they can have uninterrupted sleep, in comfort, in their own sanctuary, creates a healthy pattern of rest. Sleep deprivation, insomnia, and disrupted sleep patterns can exacerbate pre-existing mental health conditions and can cause behaviour that is often mistaken for mental health problems, such as ADHD.

Poor sleep leads to reduced concentration, poor learning outcomes, and increased feelings of anxiety, and has a knock-on effect on physical health. The environment in which a child sleeps should be free from distractions, a comfortable temperature, and free from screens and other sources of artificial light. Sleep should be driven by routine and consistency, with a period of relaxation, calm, and winding down immediately before bedtime. Beds such as the Stompa Uno S high sleeper ensure that a child's space for sleep is completely separate from the place where they play and engage in hobbies, in even the smallest of spaces. There is ample room underneath the bed to ensure that a child has room to play and explore, whilst maintaining a strictly sleep-only environment in the bed above.

Engaging in Hobbies

Studies have suggested that children who engage in their favourite hobby on a regular basis are indeed happier and live a more complete existence. Hobbies allow regulation and balance of mood, allow children to socialise and form friendships, build leadership and team-building skills, and result in increased levels of self-esteem and self-awareness. Creative outlets such as performing arts, crafts, drama and music help a child to express themselves freely and teach them life skills, whilst they are growing in confidence.

We always try to do our part in providing children space to carry out their favourite hobbies & I believe we do just that with our range of children’s gaming beds. The gaming beds give children the space to play their favourite video games and unwind after a long day. We also have a wide range of high-quality beds with desks. These beds are great for children who enjoy reading, browsing the internet, or drawing. 

Taking Part in Sports

Taking part in sports, dance, gymnastics, or physical activities helps to balance and regulate emotions as the brain releases endorphins and other feel-good chemicals. This contributes to decreased stress levels and the likelihood of developing depression or anxiety. Beds such as the Stompa Duo mid sleeper ensure that regardless of what interests or hobbies your child pursues, their equipment and accessories can be stored away tidy and secure.

Show them Respect

Making a child feel that they are heard is one of the fundamental basics of a respectful relationship in which they can grow and thrive. Feeling confident and secure enough to be able to voice their opinions, likes and dislikes, in a way where their feelings are considered, makes for a happy and confident child who can emotionally express themselves freely. A child can inject their own style into their room by having some autonomy over décor, furniture, and bedding choices. This allows them to showcase their own personal tastes and personality. Personalised beds and bedroom accessories such as the Police Car bunk bed allow a child to stamp their own individuality into their room, no matter what their interests and passions.

Show them Love

Finally, a quick, simple, and thoroughly enjoyable way of promoting a child's mental health is by giving them a bedtime hug! Physical contact promotes the release of oxytocin and feel-good chemicals, making your child feel instantly calmer, loved, safe and secure.