But what can I do to help them?

Parenting is hard, no doubt the hardest job in the world. When a child is struggling, parents feel everything from frustration and anxiety to isolation, overwhelm, guilt, or simply not being “good enough”. Whether the issue is anxiety, low mood, or difficulties with self-regulation, the sense of helplessness—feeling like there’s nothing you can do—can be overwhelming. Worrying that you can’t help, that you might be making things worse, or knowing there’s a long wait for professional support can feel completely debilitating.

But there is always something you can do.

Whatever the challenge, going back to basics can make a real difference. That means prioritising:

• Sleep – plenty of it, with a consistent bedtime (even on weekends).

• Food – regular, balanced meals high in protein, wholegrains, and healthy fats, while cutting back on sugar, caffeine, and energy drinks.

• Hydration – simply drinking enough water can noticeably affect mood and wellbeing.

When these foundations are missing, the body feels out of balance, and emotions can feel even harder to manage. Supporting physical health helps build resilience, increases tolerance, and gives young people a greater sense of control.

On top of the basics, some simple activities can also help:

• Movement – whether it’s a walk, some stretching, yoga, or a more intense workout. While running or HIIT can boost endorphins (our “feel-good” chemicals), gentler exercise like walking often reduces stress more effectively. Physical activity also helps the body process stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol, restoring balance.

• Connection – meaningful contact with others has a huge impact on wellbeing. Small interactions, like saying hello to the barista, or bigger ones, like catching up with a friend you haven’t spoken to in a while, all add up.

• Nature – my personal favourite. Simply being outside, looking at trees, or taking in fresh air can lift your mood in powerful ways.

Encouraging your child to make small, manageable changes in these areas can begin to turn the tide. Even tiny improvements matter—because feeling a little more in control and making progress, however small, is always better than standing still.

If you would like some more ideas of ways to help your child, or for me to work with your child to build their emotional intelligence, understand themselves better and build their resilience, please get in touch.